The NSIB has launched an investigation after an Enugu Air aircraft overshot the runway at Benin Airport, with all 68 passengers and crew members safe.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has opened an investigation into a runway excursion involving an Enugu Air aircraft at the Benin Airport in Edo State, after the aircraft reportedly went beyond the end of the runway during landing.
The incident occurred at about 3:10 p.m. on Thursday and involved an Embraer E170 aircraft with registration number 5N-ENR. The aircraft was operating as Flight 4264 on a scheduled journey from Lagos to Benin when it reportedly overran the end of Runway 05.
There were 68 people on board the aircraft at the time of the occurrence, including 63 passengers and five members of the crew.
Despite the incident, no fatalities or injuries were recorded. The NSIB confirmed that everyone on board was safely evacuated from the aircraft following the runway excursion.
The development prompted an immediate response from aviation safety authorities, with the NSIB deploying its investigators to the airport shortly after receiving notification of the occurrence.
The bureau said the rapid deployment of its investigation team was aimed at ensuring that relevant evidence and information were preserved while allowing investigators to begin assessing the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to the safety agency, investigators are currently working to obtain and examine a range of operational and technical information that could help establish what happened during the aircraft’s landing.
The investigation is expected to examine several aspects of the occurrence, including the circumstances surrounding the landing, the condition and operation of the aircraft, relevant flight information and other factors that may have contributed to the aircraft leaving the designated runway area.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), as well as other relevant airport and aviation authorities, have been notified of the incident.
The aircraft has also been secured as part of the ongoing investigation, allowing investigators to carry out the necessary technical and operational assessments.
Although all occupants were able to leave the aircraft safely, the NSIB stressed that the absence of injuries should not diminish the seriousness of the occurrence.
Director General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., said the bureau was relieved that the incident did not lead to casualties, but noted that runway excursions are regarded as serious aviation occurrences that must be properly investigated.
“We are relieved that all passengers and crew members are safe and that no injuries were reported,” Badeh said.
He explained that the safety of those on board remained the most important outcome of the incident, but added that the circumstances that led to the runway excursion must still be established through a professional and independent investigation.
Badeh also highlighted the speed with which the NSIB responded to the incident, saying the bureau’s investigation team arrived at the airport within minutes after receiving the notification.
He said the swift response reflected the preparedness of the bureau and the professionalism of its investigators in handling aviation occurrences.
The NSIB chief further appealed to members of the public to avoid speculation while the investigation is underway. He urged people to allow the investigators to complete their work based on evidence and established international aviation investigation standards.
The bureau said a preliminary report on the incident is expected to be made available within 30 days, in line with applicable regulatory requirements.
However, the release of the preliminary report will not necessarily mark the end of the investigation. The NSIB explained that a more detailed final report would be published after investigators have completed their work and reached their conclusions.
The final report is expected to contain the findings of the investigation and may also include safety recommendations where necessary.
Such recommendations are generally intended to help aviation stakeholders identify potential safety gaps and take steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The runway excursion also resulted in a temporary disruption to operations at the Benin Airport as emergency responders and relevant authorities worked to secure the aircraft and the affected section of the runway.
The authorities have not yet disclosed the specific circumstances or factors that caused the aircraft to run beyond the end of Runway 05.
Investigators are expected to determine the contributing factors after reviewing the available evidence and relevant operational and technical information.
The NSIB has called on stakeholders within the aviation industry to continue giving priority to safety as the investigation progresses.
The bureau also urged relevant parties to cooperate fully with the investigation, stressing that the information obtained during the process would be important in establishing the facts surrounding the occurrence.
While the safe evacuation of all 68 occupants has provided relief following the incident, the ongoing investigation is expected to provide a clearer account of how the runway excursion occurred and whether any safety measures or procedures need to be reviewed.
The outcome of the probe could therefore provide valuable lessons for airlines, airport operators, regulators and other aviation stakeholders, particularly in strengthening measures aimed at preventing runway excursions and improving the overall safety of air travel.
For now, aviation authorities are expected to await the findings of the NSIB investigation before drawing conclusions about the cause of the incident.
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