The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has identified several safety concerns following the runway overrun involving an Enugu Air aircraft at the Oba Akenzua II Airport in Benin, Edo State.
The bureau raised questions about the area beyond the end of the runway, the ability of air traffic controllers to maintain a clear view of aircraft and the availability of accurate weather information at the airport.
The incident happened on July 23, 2026, when an Embraer ERJ 170-100LR operated by Enugu Air was completing a scheduled passenger flight from Lagos to Benin.
The aircraft, carrying 63 passengers and five crew members, landed on Runway 05 but continued beyond the runway surface before entering an unpaved area.
It subsequently hit approach-lighting equipment and two fixed concrete structures linked to an old localiser installation.
Despite the seriousness of the incident, all 68 people on board escaped safely. The passengers and crew were evacuated from the aircraft using the emergency escape slides, and the NSIB confirmed that no injuries were recorded.
Following its initial investigation, the safety bureau issued four immediate recommendations to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
The recommendations focus on improving safety around runway ends, ensuring better visibility from the airport control tower and strengthening access to meteorological information.
The NSIB said its preliminary findings were based on information collected from several sources, including witness accounts, flight recorder data, air traffic control communications and an initial examination of the aircraft.
However, the bureau stressed that the investigation is still ongoing and that the preliminary findings should not be treated as the final explanation of what happened.
The incident occurred after the aircraft departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 2:19 pm. The flight initially progressed normally through take-off, climbing, cruising and descent.
During the approach to Benin, the crew was initially cleared to use the Instrument Landing System approach for Runway 23 but later requested permission to use an RNAV approach for Runway 05.
The crew reportedly expressed concerns about rain around the airport. The control tower later indicated that conditions appeared more favourable on the approach to Runway 23.
Despite the advisory, the crew continued with the approach to Runway 05.
At about 2:48 pm, the tower informed the crew that visibility had fallen to approximately 1,500 metres in moderate rain. The aircraft was subsequently cleared to land, with the crew also warned that the runway was wet.
The NSIB has released a preliminary reconstruction of the aircraft’s flight path as part of its effort to keep the public informed about the investigation.
The bureau also clarified that its investigation is focused on preventing future accidents rather than determining who should be blamed.
It said the final report will provide its conclusions and may contain additional safety recommendations after all technical examinations have been completed.
The latest findings highlight the importance of runway safety, reliable weather information and effective airport infrastructure as Nigeria continues efforts to improve aviation safety.
