Max Air reacts to incident says aircraft engine ‘slightly brushed runway’

MAX Air has reacted to the incident involving its aircraft 5N-DBK flying from Jeddah to Minna (Niger State) saying the aircraft did not crash nor skid off the runway as reported in various media yesterday.

In a statement issued by the airline and signed by Director Flight Operations, Captain Ibrahim Dilli, the aircraft engine slightly brushed the runway due to complex landing, maneuvers accessioned by strong downdraft and an epileptic Instrument Landing System (ILS)at the Minna Airport.

The Boeing 747 aircraft with registration number, 5N-DBK carrying about 560 inbound pilgrims and 19 crew according to the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) scraped Runway 23 at the Minna International Airport, Niger State while No 1 engine brushed the runway surface.

The statement read,” This is to inform all stakeholders and the general public that Max Air Limited operated in the early hours of today 7^th September 2019 (yesterday), a flight from Jeddah to Minna (Niger State) with our aircraft Boeing 747-400 registered 5N-DBK. At the time of arrival, there was heavy torrential rain with unstable wind.”

“The Instrument Landing System at the airport was epileptic with unstable signals. Our pilots executed an approach using their wealth of experience and knowledge on the terrain and environment to a safe landing and stopped on the runway, during which one of the engines slightly brushed the runway due to complex landing maneuvers occasioned by the strong downdraft.

“Aircraft did not crash nor skid off the runway. Aircraft was taxied safely to the airport terminal and passengers disembarked without problems. All passengers and crew are safe and sound.

“All required reports of the minor incident have been filed. Officials of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) have inspected both the aircraft and runway and are satisfied,” Max Air’s statement read.