Max Air Abuja Katsina Flight Aborts After Engine Anomaly

#1 · May 13, 2026, 8:22 am

A Max Air Boeing 737-300 was forced to abort its flight from Abuja to Katsina following a mid-air “engine anomaly” detected shortly after takeoff. The pilot-in-command reportedly noticed an irregular reading on the cockpit instruments and made the tactical decision to return to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers were evacuated without any reported injuries.

The airline confirmed the incident in a statement, emphasizing that the return was a precautionary measure in line with international aviation safety standards. Passengers were later rebooked on another flight to their destination. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has been notified and has commenced a routine investigation into the technical cause of the anomaly.

This incident has once again brought the issue of aircraft maintenance and age to the forefront of national discourse. Aviation experts are calling for more stringent oversight of the domestic fleet to ensure that such occurrences are minimized. Despite the safe landing, the event caused significant delays and anxiety among travelers at the Abuja airport.

Max Air has assured the public that it maintains a rigorous maintenance schedule and that the safety of its passengers remains its top priority. The airline is collaborating with technical partners to inspect the affected engine and return the aircraft to service only after it is certified fit for flight. The NCAA’s full report on the incident is expected in the coming weeks.

https://businessday.ng/aviation/article/max-air-abuja-katsina-flight-aborts-after-mid-air-engine-anomaly/