Passengers aboard a Max Air flight travelling from Abuja to Katsina on Monday experienced moments of panic after the aircraft reportedly developed a technical fault shortly after takeoff, forcing the pilot to return to Abuja for an emergency landing.

Passengers who spoke after the incident said the aircraft began making loud banging noises and shaking violently minutes into the journey, triggering fear among those onboard.

Some passengers also claimed the aircraft briefly lost altitude and struggled to stabilise before the pilot announced a return to the departure airport.

A video shared online by Gwanda Munirat showed passengers gathered outside the aircraft after it landed safely in Abuja.

According to Munirat, the aircraft began vibrating abnormally shortly after takeoff, causing panic inside the cabin.

She said the pilot later informed passengers that the aircraft would return to Abuja because of a technical issue.

Another passenger, Obinna Chukwuezie, described the experience as frightening, saying a loud bang was heard less than 20 minutes after takeoff before the aircraft appeared to struggle with balance.

He added that another loud sound followed shortly afterwards, intensifying fears among passengers before the pilot announced the emergency return.

Similarly, an X user identified as Zayyad Lamorde described the incident as his first “near-death experience” onboard a flight, expressing gratitude that the aircraft landed safely.

As of the time of filing this report, Max Air had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau said the agency was not immediately aware of the development but would make inquiries and provide updates where necessary.

The latest incident has further heightened concerns over operational reliability and safety issues within Nigeria’s aviation industry amid increasing complaints by passengers over flight disruptions and technical incidents.

Earlier in March, Max Air announced disruptions to its Umrah operations after one of its aircraft was grounded for technical assessments and corrective maintenance.

The airline had also previously faced regulatory scrutiny following a Lagos-Kano flight incident that prompted action by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.