Abuja, Nigeria: The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released its preliminary report into an incident involving a Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft, registered T7-SEI, after its passenger-crew door separated during the initial climb following departure from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on 15 October 2026.
The aircraft, operated by Triton Aviation Limited and flying as DWC052, was conducting a non-scheduled flight from Abuja to Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. There were nine people on board, comprising two flight crew members, one cabin crew member and six passengers.
According to the preliminary report, the incident occurred at approximately 17:19 local time, when the flight crew observed an abnormal increase in cabin altitude and suspected a pressurisation issue. The captain subsequently instructed the cabin crew member to check the main cabin door.
As the cabin crew member approached the Passenger-Crew Door to carry out the inspection, the door opened and detached from the aircraft. The flight crew declared an emergency and coordinated with Abuja Air Traffic Control for an immediate return to the airport.
The aircraft landed safely on Runway 22 at approximately 17:34 local time. All nine occupants disembarked without injuries, although the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Following notification of the occurrence, the NSIB deployed investigators to locate and recover the detached door. It was subsequently found in a cornfield in Gui Village, within the Abuja Municipal Area Council, approximately five miles southwest of the airport.
The Bureau said the preliminary report contains factual information established during the investigation, including initial findings based on available evidence and immediate safety recommendations arising from safety issues identified so far.
However, the report does not contain an analysis or conclusions on the cause of the door separation or any contributing factors. The investigation remains ongoing.
The NSIB said it will publish a final report containing its analysis, conclusions and any further safety recommendations upon completion of the investigation, in accordance with Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
