Enugu Air Aircraft Skids Off Runway at Benin Airport, All Passengers Safe

An Enugu Air aircraft was involved in a runway excursion after landing at Benin Airport in Edo State on Thursday, triggering an emergency response from aviation authorities.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:10 p.m. local time when the airline's Embraer E170 aircraft, operating Flight 4264 from Lagos to Benin, overran the end of Runway 05 during landing and came to a stop off the paved surface.

No Casualties Reported

Enugu Air confirmed that all 63 passengers and five crew members safely disembarked from the aircraft.

The airline stressed that there were no injuries or fatalities, adding that the aircraft had been secured while the appropriate aviation authorities were notified in accordance with established safety procedures.

In a statement, the airline said:

"We confirm that all passengers and crew have safely disembarked and there were no injuries or casualties."

It also warned that the incident could lead to temporary adjustments to some of its flight schedules while recovery operations continue.

NSIB Launches Investigation

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into the incident to determine what caused the runway excursion.

According to the agency, investigators have been deployed to the scene, while the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and airport authorities have also been notified.

NSIB Director-General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. expressed relief that everyone on board escaped unharmed and said the bureau would carry out a thorough investigation before reaching any conclusions.

What Is a Runway Excursion?

A runway excursion occurs when an aircraft veers off or overruns the runway during take-off or landing.

While such incidents can sometimes result in serious accidents, aviation experts note that many runway excursions end without injuries because of modern aircraft safety systems, emergency procedures and rapid response by airport rescue teams.

Authorities have not yet indicated whether weather conditions, mechanical issues or operational factors contributed to Thursday's occurrence. The cause will be determined through the ongoing investigation.

Flight Operations May Be Affected

The runway excursion temporarily disrupted flight operations at Benin Airport as emergency responders secured the aircraft and assessed the situation.

Enugu Air has advised passengers that some flights may experience delays or schedule adjustments while recovery efforts are completed. Affected travellers will be contacted directly by the airline.

Investigation Underway

As of the time of publication, investigators had not identified the cause of the runway excursion.

The NSIB said it will examine the aircraft, weather conditions, flight data and operational procedures before issuing its findings.

Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.