An Enugu Air aircraft carrying 68 passengers veered off the runway while landing at Benin Airport in Edo State on Thursday. Aviation authorities confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, while the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has opened an investigation into the incident.
A potential aviation disaster was averted on Thursday after an Enugu Air aircraft carrying 68 passengers experienced a runway excursion while landing at Benin Airport in Edo State.
The Embraer E170 aircraft, operating as Flight 4264 with registration 5N-ENR, overshot the end of Runway 05 at about 3:10 p.m. local time before coming to a stop in a grassy area beyond the runway. All passengers and crew members were safely evacuated without injuries.
NSIB Launches Investigation
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed that it has commenced an investigation into the runway excursion.
According to the agency, investigators have been deployed to the scene to determine the cause of the incident and recover relevant flight data.
The NSIB stressed that the investigation is aimed at improving aviation safety and should not be interpreted as assigning blame before the inquiry is concluded.
Emergency Response Prevents Casualties
Officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and emergency response teams quickly responded after the aircraft left the runway.
Passengers and crew were evacuated through standard emergency procedures, with no fatalities or injuries reported.
The aircraft sustained damage and remained at the scene while aviation authorities secured the area for investigators. Flight operations at the airport were temporarily affected as emergency personnel worked to recover the aircraft.
Airline Cooperating With Authorities
Enugu Air has secured the aircraft and notified the relevant aviation regulators.
The airline said it is cooperating fully with the NSIB and other authorities investigating the incident.
As of the time of reporting, officials had not disclosed what caused the runway excursion.
Enugu Air, owned by the Enugu State Government, commenced commercial operations in 2025 and operates domestic routes across Nigeria.
Runway excursions occur when an aircraft departs the runway surface during take-off or landing. Aviation experts note that such incidents may result from multiple factors, including weather conditions, mechanical issues, runway conditions or operational factors. The exact cause of Thursday’s incident will be determined by the ongoing investigation.