Enugu Air Aircraft Involved in Runway Incident at Benin Airport
On Thursday, an Enugu Air aircraft experienced a runway excursion after landing at Benin Airport. Fortunately, all 63 passengers and five crew members were safely evacuated, with no reported injuries or fatalities.
The airline confirmed the situation in a public notice, detailing that standard procedures were followed to secure the aircraft and notify the relevant aviation authorities.
In its statement, Enugu Air emphasized the safety of its passengers: “We have confirmed that all passengers and crew disembarked safely, and there were no injuries or casualties.” However, the airline mistakenly referred to the incident as a runway incursion, when it is more accurately described by aviation professionals as a runway excursion, indicating that the aircraft left the runway after landing.
A video shared by Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, depicted the Embraer 170 aircraft descending from the runway onto a grassy area, where emergency responders were present as passengers exited the plane. Sowore expressed his hope that no individuals were harmed and urged authorities to prioritize aviation safety and regulatory compliance.
Enugu Air is currently conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The airline has also indicated that some scheduled flights might experience temporary adjustments as a result of the runway excursion.
“As a result, some flight schedules may be temporarily adjusted. Passengers affected by the changes will be contacted directly and provided with the necessary assistance,” the airline stated, reiterating its commitment to passenger safety.
The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is tasked with probing the incident, while the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will maintain regulatory oversight to ascertain the factors involved. A runway excursion, which signifies an aircraft unintentionally departing runway surfaces during takeoff or landing, is a frequent type of aviation incident globally, with potential causes ranging from adverse weather conditions to technical malfunctions.
This event underscores Nigeria’s aviation authority’s ongoing commitment to enhancing safety measures and operational standards across the nation’s airports.
