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The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an investigation into Thursday’s runway excursion involving an Enugu Air aircraft at Benin Airport, Edo State, pledging to determine the cause of the accident and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
The accident involved an Embraer E170 operated by Enugu Air on flight 4264 from Lagos to Benin. The plane skidded off the runway after landing, but all 63 passengers and five crew members on board disembarked safely with no injuries or fatalities.
The event attracted the attention of aviation regulators and industry stakeholders, with authorities moving quickly to secure the plane and launch investigations.
The NSIB deploys an investigative team
In a statement released on Friday, the NSIB said it immediately activated its emergency response protocol by deploying its Go Team to Benin Airport shortly after receiving notification of the runway excursion.
According to the bureau, investigators began the process of preserving evidence while conducting interviews with the flight crew and other personnel involved in the operation.
The team is also examining the aircraft, inspecting runway conditions and reviewing operational, maintenance and technical records to establish the sequence of events that led to the accident.
The bureau added that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other airport authorities have been informed in line with standard aviation procedures, while the aircraft has been secured pending the outcome of the investigation.
Boardwalk excursions require thorough investigation
NSIB Director General Alex Badeh Jr. described the safe evacuation of all on board as encouraging, but stressed that any runway excursion must be treated as a serious aviation event.
“We are relieved that all passengers and crew members are safe and that no injuries have been reported. While this is reassuring, any runway excursion is a serious event that deserves a thorough and independent investigation,” Badeh said.
He revealed that investigators arrived at the airport within minutes of being alerted to the incident, describing the rapid deployment as evidence of the bureau’s preparedness and professionalism.
“Our Go Team was on site within minutes of notification and this speed of response reflects the promptness and professionalism of our investigators. We urge the public to refrain from speculation as our investigators carry out their work in accordance with international standards,” he added.
Preliminary report within 30 days
The NSIB assured the public that the investigation would be conducted in line with both Nigerian regulations and international aviation standards.
According to the bureau, a preliminary report will be released within 30 days as required by aviation regulations.
It added that a full final report containing the findings, conclusions and safety recommendations will be released once the investigation is completed.
The agency also appealed to airlines, airport operators and other aviation stakeholders to fully cooperate with investigators to facilitate a thorough and transparent process.
Enugu Air confirms the incident
Earlier, Enugu Air confirmed that one of its aircraft suffered a runway excursion after landing at the Benin airport.
The airline said all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated and there were no injuries or fatalities.
He explained that the plane had been secured while the relevant aviation authorities had been informed immediately after the incident.
Enugu Air also warned that the incident could lead to temporary changes to some of its scheduled flights while assessments of the aircraft continue.
Although the airline initially characterized the incident as a runway incursion, aviation experts classify a plane leaving the runway after landing as a runway excursion.
Operations interrupted at Benin airport
The incident also affected flight operations at Benin Airport, with Air Peace announcing the temporary suspension of flights to and from the airport until the runway was declared safe for normal operations.
The airline apologized to affected passengers, describing the disruption as beyond its control while airport authorities worked to restore flight services.
The NSIB explained that its responsibility is to conduct independent investigations of aviation accidents and serious incidents to identify probable causes and recommend safety improvements.
The bureau stressed that its investigation is not intended to apportion blame or determine civil or criminal liability, but to improve aviation safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.
With investigations now underway, the aviation industry will await the bureau’s preliminary report, which is expected to provide the first official information on the factors that contributed to the Benin airport’s runway excursion.
