Benin City, Nigeria: An Enugu Air Embraer E170 overran the end of Runway 05 while landing at Benin Airport in Edo State, Nigeria, on July 23, with 63 passengers and five crew members on board. All 68 occupants were accounted for and no injuries were reported.
The aircraft, registered 5N-ENR, was operating Enugu Air Flight 4264 from Lagos to Benin when the runway excursion occurred at approximately 3:10 p.m. local time, according to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
The aircraft reportedly continued beyond the end of Runway 05 during the landing before leaving the runway area. Early reports described the aircraft as having veered into the surrounding area beyond the runway, while images and videos circulating after the incident showed the Embraer E170 off the paved runway surface.
Emergency personnel responded to the occurrence, and all passengers and crew were safely evacuated or disembarked. The NSIB confirmed that there were 63 passengers and five crew members on board, correcting earlier media reports that had cited different passenger figures.
Enugu Air confirmed the incident in a statement, describing it as a runway excursion after landing. The airline said all passengers and crew had safely disembarked and that there were no injuries or casualties.
The carrier said the aircraft had been secured and that the relevant aviation authorities had been notified in line with established procedures. It added that an assessment of the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the occurrence was underway.
The NSIB has since launched an investigation into the incident. Its Go Team was mobilised and reached the occurrence site within minutes of notification. Investigators are gathering and preserving evidence, interviewing the flight crew and other relevant personnel, examining the aircraft, assessing runway conditions and reviewing operational and technical information.
The cause of the runway excursion has not yet been established. Authorities have not publicly attributed the incident to any specific technical failure, weather condition, braking problem or pilot action, and the investigation is expected to determine the circumstances and contributing factors.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and relevant airport authorities have been notified, while the aircraft remains secured as investigators conduct their work.
NSIB Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. said the bureau was relieved that all passengers and crew members were safe but stressed that runway excursions are serious occurrences requiring thorough and independent investigation. He also urged the public to refrain from speculation while investigators work in accordance with international standards.
The NSIB said a preliminary report is expected within 30 days, in line with regulatory requirements. A final investigation report, including any safety recommendations, will be published after the investigation is completed.
The incident also temporarily disrupted flight operations at Benin Airport as emergency responders secured the aircraft and aviation officials began assessing the situation.
The incident occurred less than three weeks after Enugu Air officially commenced commercial operations, making the runway excursion one of the first significant operational incidents involving the newly launched state-owned carrier. However, with all 68 people on board safe and the investigation still in its early stages, authorities have yet to determine exactly why the aircraft overran the runway.
