Subscribe: Gist E-Paper
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an investigation into the runway excursion involving an Enugu Air Embraer E170 aircraft at the Benin Airport, assuring the public that all 68 occupants on board escaped unhurt.
The aircraft, operating Flight 4264 with registration 5N-ENR from Lagos to Benin, reportedly overran the end of Runway 05 while landing at about 3:10 p.m. local time on Thursday.
In a statement, the NSIB confirmed that the aircraft was carrying 63 passengers and five crew members, all of whom were safely accounted for without injuries.
The bureau said its investigators were deployed to the scene within minutes of the incident to secure evidence and begin a detailed examination of the circumstances surrounding the occurrence.
According to the NSIB, investigators are interviewing the flight crew and other relevant personnel, inspecting the aircraft, assessing runway conditions and reviewing operational and technical records to determine the cause of the incident.
The agency added that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other airport authorities had been notified, while the aircraft has been secured for investigation.
Director-General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., expressed relief that no lives were lost, stressing that every runway excursion is treated as a serious aviation occurrence requiring an independent investigation.
He urged members of the public to avoid speculation while investigators carry out their work in line with international aviation standards.
The bureau disclosed that a preliminary report will be released within 30 days, while a final report containing safety recommendations will be published after the investigation is concluded.
Meanwhile, Enugu Air also confirmed the incident in a statement posted on its X account, saying one of its aircraft experienced a runway excursion after landing in Benin.
The airline said all passengers and crew members safely disembarked and that there were no injuries or casualties.
It added that the aircraft had been secured and that aviation authorities were promptly notified in accordance with established safety procedures.
Enugu Air noted that investigations and technical assessments of the aircraft are ongoing, warning that the incident could lead to temporary adjustments to some flight schedules.
The airline assured affected passengers that they would be contacted directly and provided with the necessary assistance.
Eyewitnesses at the airport described moments of anxiety as the aircraft skidded off the runway after touchdown, although the situation was quickly brought under control by airport emergency personnel.
A viral video circulating online showed passengers calmly disembarking from the aircraft under the supervision of airport officials.
Industry observers noted that runway excursions during periods of heavy rainfall are often linked to hydroplaning, a situation in which standing water on the runway reduces tyre grip, limiting braking efficiency and directional control.
The Benin incident is the latest in a series of runway excursions recorded in Nigeria in recent years. In July 2025, an Air Peace Boeing 737 similarly skidded off the runway at the Port Harcourt International Airport during adverse weather conditions.
Both incidents ended without fatalities or injuries, highlighting the effectiveness of emergency response measures but also underscoring the need for continuous improvements in runway safety, drainage systems and adverse-weather operations across the country's airports.
