A Saudi-bound aircraft has survived an emergency landing in the Mallam AminuKano International Airport (MAKIA) after developing engine failure on air in the evening of Wednesday.

The aircraft belonging to Max Air Limited with registration number, Max B747-HMM was carrying the first batch of 554 intending pilgrims from Dutse, Jigawa state to Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage.

It was gathered the Boeing 747 aircraft that departed the Dutse airport in Jigawa State had to discontinue the journey to Saudi Arabia when it was struck by lightning that affected the noose of the airplane.

A source at the airport who pleaded anonymity said the plane was undergoing repairs and the intending pilgrims were being kept at the airport as at 8pm.

He said the engineeringteam of the company was working to restore the situation as the fault only affected the noose of the aircraft.

“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 noose. Some key items are missing while some are damaged by something that is not yet known.

“Presently they are removing some of the damaged items and replacing them with others,” he said.

Also, one of the passengers in the aircraft confirmed to our correspondent that they were asked to remain inside the plane while other plans were being made to airlift them to Saudi Arabia.

She said the incident happened as a result of rainfall.

“While we are going, we didn’t even notice there was a failure. Later they announced that we have to make an emergency landing in Kano. We are insideright now; they will change another plane for us. That is what they said,” she explained. (Courtesy, excluding headline, Daily Trust)

•A plane