Overview
On 28 January 2025, a Boeing 737-400 aircraft with registration 5N-MBD, operated by Max Air Limited, was involved in an accident at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (DNKN), Kano. The flight originated from Murtala Muhammed International Airport (DNMM), Lagos. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) released an interim statement on the first anniversary of the accident, noting that the final report is pending.
Flight Sequence
The aircraft had been scheduled to operate six sectors that day with six crew members (two cockpit and four cabin crew). During a post-flight inspection after the second sector, the maintenance engineer observed that the nose wheel tires were worn to the limit, but replacement equipment was unavailable. With a colleague's opinion, the aircraft was flown for an additional sector to Bauchi. The nose wheel tires were replaced on the fifth sector in accordance with Aircraft Maintenance Manual 32-45-21.
At approximately 20:09 h, the aircraft departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (DNAA) for Lagos as NGL 1645, arriving at about 21:00 h. The pilot conducted a post-flight inspection with no abnormalities noted.
At 21:42 h, the aircraft departed Lagos as flight NGL 1605 for Kano with 59 persons on board (six crew and 53 passengers), under an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan with an endurance of four hours. The captain was the pilot flying (PF) and the co-pilot was the pilot monitoring (PM). The flight proceeded normally.
At 22:15 h, while en route, the crew discussed the removal of a lock wheel protection. At 22:22 h, the flight established contact with Kano Area Control and reported their details. They were cleared for an ILS approach to runway 06 with QNH 1019.
At 22:42 h, NGL 1605 reported approaching 25 nautical miles and was cleared to descend to 4,000 feet and cleared for the ILS approach. At 22:45 h, the flight reported established on the localizer at 9 miles and was cleared to land. The wind was calm.
Incident
At 22:48:38.4 h, the radio altimeter called out heights from fifty to ten feet, and the PM noted speed brake deployment. At 22:49:00.3 h, the aircraft landed right of the runway centerline. An unidentified loud mechanical sound was heard, followed by another at 22:49:12.1 h. At 22:49:35.4 h, the PM declared a mayday and requested immediate assistance.
All passengers disembarked using stairs and were reported unhurt. The accident occurred at night.
Investigation Status
The NSIB has published a preliminary report and is awaiting results of detailed inspections of the nose landing gear assembly and tires by Boeing and Dunlop. This interim statement is issued in accordance with ICAO Annex 13. The final report is still being compiled. The investigation aims to prevent future accidents and does not apportion blame or liability.