ENUGU AIR AIRCRAFT VEERS OFF RUNWAY AT BENIN AIRPORT, ALL 68 ON BOARD SAFE

Kingsley Ohens reporting

An Enugu Air Embraer E170 aircraft on Thursday veered off the runway after landing at the Benin Airport in Edo State, triggering an emergency response and a temporary disruption of flight operations. Fortunately, all 68 occupants on board escaped unharmed.

The aircraft, operating as Flight 4264 with registration 5N-ENR, was flying from Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, to Benin when it overran the end of Runway 05 at approximately 3:10 p.m. Aviation authorities described the occurrence as a runway excursion, not an air crash.

According to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), there were 63 passengers and five crew members on board the aircraft. The Bureau confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safely accounted for, with no injuries or fatalities recorded.

Enugu Air, in a statement, assured the public that all passengers and crew safely disembarked from the aircraft. The airline added that the aircraft had been secured while the relevant aviation authorities were notified in line with established safety procedures. It also warned that the incident could lead to temporary adjustments to some of its flight schedules.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, dismissed initial reports suggesting that the aircraft had crashed. He explained that the aircraft landed safely before veering off the runway, reportedly due to adverse weather conditions, emphasizing that the incident was a runway excursion rather than a crash.

Meanwhile, the NSIB has commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident. The agency said its investigators were deployed to the scene within minutes to preserve evidence, examine the aircraft, assess runway conditions, interview the flight crew and other relevant personnel, and determine the factors responsible for the occurrence.

NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., expressed relief that no lives were lost, stressing that every runway excursion is treated as a serious aviation occurrence requiring a thorough and independent investigation. He urged members of the public to avoid speculation until the investigation is concluded. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, while a comprehensive final report containing safety recommendations will be released after the investigation is completed.