NSIB probes Enugu Air Benin Airport incident

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The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has commenced an investigation into a runway excursion involving an Enugu Air Embraer E170 aircraft at the Benin Airport, Edo State.

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The bureau disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that the aircraft, operating as Flight 4264 with registration 5N-ENR from Lagos to Benin, overran the end of Runway 05 during landing at about 3:10 p.m. local time.

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According to the NSIB, there were 63 passengers and five crew members on board the aircraft, adding that all occupants were safely accounted for and no injuries were recorded.

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“The aircraft, operating as Flight 4264 (registration 5N-ENR) from Lagos (LOS) to Benin (BNI), was involved in a runway excursion after overrunning the end of Runway 05 during landing at approximately 1510 hours local time (1410 UTC) on Thursday, 23 July 2026.

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“There were 63 passengers and five crew members on board. All passengers and crew have been accounted for, and no injuries have been reported,” the statement read.

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The bureau said its Go Team was deployed to the accident site within minutes of being notified and had begun gathering and preserving evidence as part of the investigation.

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It added that investigators were interviewing the flight crew and other relevant personnel, examining the aircraft, assessing runway conditions, and reviewing operational and technical information to determine the circumstances and contributing factors to the occurrence.

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The statement further noted that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant airport authorities had been notified, while the aircraft had been secured.

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Commenting on the incident, the Director-General of the NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., said, “We are relieved that all passengers and crew members are safe and that no injuries were reported. While this is reassuring, every runway excursion is a serious occurrence that deserves a thorough and independent investigation.

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“Our Go Team was on the ground within minutes of notification, and that speed of response reflects the readiness 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.”

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The bureau said a preliminary report would be issued within 30 days in line with regulatory requirements, while the final investigation report, including safety recommendations, would be published after the completion of the investigation.

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It also urged all stakeholders in the aviation industry to continue prioritising safety and cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.

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The investigation comes after an Enugu Air aircraft veered off the runway after landing at the Benin Airport on Thursday. The airline confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated without injuries, describing the occurrence as a runway excursion involving one of its Embraer regional jets.

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Enugu Air said the relevant aviation authorities had been notified of the incident and warned that there could be temporary adjustments to some flight schedules as a result.

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The airline added, “As a result, there may be temporary adjustments to some flight schedules. Passengers affected by any changes will be contacted directly and provided with the necessary assistance.”

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