An aircraft headed for Saudi Arabia was forced to make an emergency landing at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Nigeria on Wednesday evening, after experiencing engine failure mid-flight.
The Max Air Limited plane, registration number Max B747-HMM, was transporting the first batch of 554 pilgrims from Dutse, Jigawa state, to Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage.
Reports say the Boeing 747, having departed from the airport in Jigawa State, had to cut short its journey when it was hit by lightning, which impacted the plane’s nose.
“Yes, it is true. They have landed here and as I speak to you, the engineers are working to repair the aircraft. It developed a failure on its nose,” the source explained.
One of the passengers on the plane reported that they had been asked to remain onboard while alternate arrangements were being made to transport them to Saudi Arabia.
Blaming bad weather for the incident, she said that,”We didn’t even notice there was a failure. Later they announced that we have to make an emergency landing in Kano. We are inside right now, they will change another plane for us. That is what they said.”