An aircraft belonging to hajj operator, Max Air on Saturday experienced hard side landing at runway 05 of Minna International Airport, Niger State.
Spokesperson of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu disclosed that the aircraft did not crash-land, but experienced hard landing on the side, which resulted in heavy damage to the outer left engine of the aircraft.
She said the aircraft managed to park safely and all passengers on board were evacuated.
Relevant aviation agencies, it was learnt have commenced investigations into the accident. The plane conveying pilgrims returning from the 2019 annual pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia made an emergency landing at the Minna International Airport.
The aircraft, a Boeing 744 with registration number 5N/ DBK, was said to have developed technical faults in one of its four engines as it approached the airport.
A source at the airport who confirmed the incident to newsmen said no one was injured, neither was any death in the incident but the passengers were visibly shaken.
Evidences of the crash could be seen as a part of the tarmac and some other facilities were damaged when the aircraft skidded off the runway.
The Public Relations Officer of the Niger state Pilgrims Welfare Board, Hajia Hassana Isah, when contacted also confirmed the incident but did not give further details.
