What was meant to be an ordinary landing in Benin ended beyond the runway on Thursday, 23rd of July, after an Enugu Air aircraft carrying 68 people overran Runway 05.
The Embraer E170 came to a stop outside the paved surface, prompting an emergency response and an investigation. All 63 passengers and five crew members left the aircraft safely, and authorities reported no injuries.
Eyewitnesses Report Loud Bang as NSIB Opens Investigation
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau said Flight 4264, registration 5N-ENR, was travelling from Lagos to Benin when it overran the end of Runway 05 during landing at about 3:10pm. Its investigators arrived shortly after notification and began preserving evidence, interviewing the crew, inspecting the aircraft and assessing the runway and relevant operational records.
Residents around the airport said they heard a loud bang before seeing the aircraft leave the runway. Michael Udoh, speaking to the Vanguard, said the noise drew him outside, where he saw the plane on the ground. A social media post by a passenger on Flight 4264 said the aircraft was in rotation for a while and later came down before the crash, although his claims of ‘broken body parts from other passengers’ were refuted by official reports. Another source claimed that something fell from the aircraft and suggested an engine problem.
Investigators have not confirmed any of the claims or established what caused the excursion. NSIB Director-General Alex Badeh Jr urged the public to avoid speculation while the bureau completes its work. The agency expects to release a preliminary report within 30 days.
Enugu Air later announced to the public that the incident could force temporary changes to some flight schedules while investigators examine what happened.
