Tragedy averted as private jet loses door mid-air, makes emergency landing in Abuja

An air crash was averted on Thursday after a CL60 aircraft operated by Triton Aviation lost a door shortly after take-off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, forcing the crew to declare a “Mayday” emergency.

The aircraft, with registration number T7-SEI and flight identification DWC052, was scheduled to fly from Abuja to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, when the incident occurred at about 4:20 p.m. UTC.

The incident report obtained by Daily Trust indicated that the aircraft had taken off from Runway 22 at 4:17 p.m. UTC and was about three nautical miles from the airport, climbing through 3,000 feet, when the crew declared an emergency.

According to the report, the crew informed air traffic controllers that a door had opened in flight, prompting the approach radar controller to direct the aircraft back to Abuja for an emergency landing.

Following the distress call, the airport’s fire watch room and medical team were alerted and instructed to remain on standby.

Fire and emergency personnel were also directed to designated positions at A4 and A5 in preparation for the aircraft’s return.

“At about 4:29 p.m. UTC, while in contact with the Abuja control tower, the crew asked whether air traffic controllers could confirm if the door was open,” the report read.

"The duty air traffic controller attempted to observe the aircraft using binoculars, but could not establish the door’s condition because of the aircraft’s position. The crew was subsequently informed that the controller could not confirm the situation visually.

"The aircraft landed safely on Runway 22 at approximately 4:34 p.m. UTC, 14 minutes after the Mayday call.”

The report added that after the aircraft landed, the duty controller observed that the door was missing from the fuselage, confirming the seriousness of the incident.

The aircraft was subsequently taxied to the international apron extension, where it was parked with the assistance of a marshaller.

At about 4:40 p.m. UTC, the crew reported that the marshaller was in sight before the aircraft was positioned in its parking area.

The number of passengers on board the aircraft could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report. 

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, confirmed the incident but said the agency could not comment on it.

He said the incident fell under the purview of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

The NSIB also confirmed the serious incident.

A source at the bureau said its management had deployed investigators to the scene to conduct further investigations, adding that an official statement would be issued soon.