By Emmanuel Thomas l Friday, June 24
BENIN CITY — Panic gripped passengers and aviation workers at the Benin Airport on Thursday when an Embraer E170 passenger aircraft operated by Enugu Air veered off the runway shortly after landing.
The incident, described in aviation parlance as a “runway excursion,” triggered an immediate emergency response at the facility, temporarily grounding air traffic and disrupting scheduled flight operations in and out of the Edo State capital.
Confirming the development in an official operational update, Enugu Air stated that the aircraft was inbound from Lagos when the operational hiccup occurred. The airline reassured the flying public that emergency protocols were activated swiftly, ensuring that all passengers and flight crew members were evacuated without any recorded injuries or loss of life.
”The aircraft has been secured and the relevant aviation authorities have been notified in line with established procedures. An assessment of the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the occurrence is currently underway,” the airline stated.
Enugu Air further acknowledged that the mishap would lead to temporary adjustments across its flight networks, adding that affected customers are being contacted directly to facilitate rebooking and operational assistance. The management reiterated its commitment to strict safety protocols, emphasizing that full cooperation is being extended to federal regulators.
NSIB Dispatches ‘Go Team’, Commences Full Probe
In a swift reaction to the mishap, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed that it had formally launched a detailed investigation into the incident involving the Embraer E170 jetliner bearing registration number 5N-ENR.
According to details released by the safety agency, the jet—operating as Flight 4264 from Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos (LOS) to Benin Airport (BNI)—overran the far end of Runway 05 upon touchdown before coming to a complete halt in the adjacent safety area.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, Mrs. Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, the Bureau disclosed that its specialized quick-response unit was immediately deployed to the crash site to preserve evidence and secure the aircraft perimeter alongside officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
”The NSIB’s Go Team was mobilised and on the ground at the occurrence site within minutes of notification, underscoring the Bureau’s commitment to a rapid and effective emergency response,” Adebayo-Arowojobe noted.
”The team is gathering and preserving evidence, interviewing the flight crew and other relevant personnel, examining the aircraft, assessing runway conditions, and reviewing all other relevant operational and technical information to determine the circumstances and contributing factors to the occurrence.”
Background and Context: Runway Excursions in Nigerian Aviation
Runway excursions—situations where an aircraft unexpectedly departs the surface of the runway during takeoff or landing—remain one of the most critical safety challenges evaluated by global aviation regulators, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
In Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector, runway overruns are frequently linked to a combination of environmental factors, such as sudden adverse weather conditions and standing water on asphalt, as well as mechanical or tactical landing factors.
Benin Airport, a high-density regional hub in South-South Nigeria, features a single-runway layout (Runway 05/23). An interruption at either threshold usually requires a complete suspension of flight services until the affected aircraft is safely towed and the runway surface cleared for friction checks.
While the exact cause of Thursday’s overrun remains subject to NSIB’s technical evaluation, aviation stakeholders have praised the rapid evacuation executed by the flight crew and ground responders, which averted what could have been a major catastrophe.
Passengers nationwide have been advised to check with Enugu Air customer service representatives for flight status revisions while safety investigators complete their initial technical audit of Runway 05 at Benin Airport.
