…NSIB Launches Probe
BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced a full-scale investigation into the runway excursion involving an Enugu Air Embraer E170 aircraft at Benin Airport on Thursday.
It has assured the public that all passengers and crew escaped unharmed.
The aircraft, operating as Flight 4264 with registration 5N-ENR, departed Lagos for Benin but overran the end of Runway 05 while landing at about 3:10 p.m. local time (1410 UTC).
According to the NSIB, there were 63 passengers and five crew members on board the aircraft. All 68 occupants were safely accounted for, with no injuries reported.
The Bureau disclosed that its investigators were deployed to the airport within minutes of receiving notification of the incident, reflecting what it described as its commitment to rapid emergency response and accident investigation.
The NSIB said its Go Team immediately began gathering and preserving evidence at the scene.
Investigators are interviewing the flight crew and other relevant personnel, examining the aircraft, assessing runway conditions, and reviewing operational and technical records to establish the circumstances surrounding the runway excursion and identify any contributing factors.
The Bureau added that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and relevant airport authorities had been notified, while the aircraft has been secured pending the conclusion of the investigation.
Commenting on the incident, the Director General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., expressed relief that the occurrence did not result in casualties but stressed that every runway excursion is treated as a serious aviation safety event.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The NSIB said it would issue a preliminary report within 30 days in line with regulatory requirements, while a comprehensive final report containing findings and safety recommendations would be published after the investigation is concluded.
Runway excursions, where an aircraft veers off or overruns the runway during take-off or landing, are among the most common aviation occurrences worldwide and can result from a combination of operational, environmental, mechanical or human factors. Aviation experts note that each incident requires detailed investigation to identify root causes and prevent future occurrences.
The Bureau reiterated its commitment to improving aviation safety through independent investigations and urged airlines, airport operators, regulators and other stakeholders to cooperate fully with investigators as the probe progresses.
The latest investigation comes as Nigerian aviation authorities continue efforts to strengthen safety oversight and maintain public confidence in the country’s air transport system through prompt response to occurrences and implementation of safety recommendations.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
