BENIN-CITY: Sixty-eight passengers escaped what could have been a major aviation disaster on Thursday after an Enugu Air aircraft crash-landed at Benin Airport in Edo State.
The aircraft, bearing registration number 5N-ENR, was operating on the Enugu–Benin–Lagos route when it reportedly overshot the runway shortly after landing and veered into a nearby bush.
An airport source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) responded swiftly to the emergency, successfully evacuating all passengers from the aircraft without any loss of life. The aircraft overshot the runway and entered the nearby bush. FAAN officials immediately swung into action and evacuated all the passengers. No casualty was recorded, the source said.
Although all 68 passengers were safely rescued, the exact number of crew members on board had not been confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
The cause of the runway excursion has yet to be officially established. Aviation authorities are expected to launch a full investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether factors such as weather, technical malfunction, or operational issues contributed to the occurrence.
The incident temporarily heightened tension at the airport as emergency responders secured the area and attended to passengers.
Neither Enugu Air nor the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had issued an official statement at the time of this report.
The latest incident adds to growing concerns over aviation safety in Nigeria, even as regulators continue efforts to strengthen operational standards and improve airport infrastructure across the country.
More details are expected as investigations commence and aviation authorities provide further updates.
Benin City, Edo State – Sixty-eight passengers escaped what could have been a major aviation disaster on Thursday after an Enugu Air aircraft crash-landed at Benin Airport in Edo State.
The aircraft, bearing registration number 5N-ENR, was operating on the Enugu–Benin–Lagos route when it reportedly overshot the runway shortly after landing and veered into a nearby bush.
An airport source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) responded swiftly to the emergency, successfully evacuating all passengers from the aircraft without any loss of life.
“The aircraft overshot the runway and entered the nearby bush. FAAN officials immediately swung into action and evacuated all the passengers. No casualty was recorded,” the source said.
Although all 68 passengers were safely rescued, the exact number of crew members on board had not been confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
The cause of the runway excursion has yet to be officially established. Aviation authorities are expected to launch a full investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether factors such as weather, technical malfunction, or operational issues contributed to the occurrence.
The incident temporarily heightened tension at the airport as emergency responders secured the area and attended to passengers.
Neither Enugu Air nor the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had issued an official statement at the time of this report.
The latest incident adds to growing concerns over aviation safety in Nigeria, even as regulators continue efforts to strengthen operational standards and improve airport infrastructure across the country.
More details are expected as investigations commence and aviation authorities provide further updates.
