ABUJA — The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja was thrown into panic following a major aviation scare when a private jet operated by Triton Aviation lost a door mid-air, forcing the flight crew to declare an emergency and make an immediate turnaround.
The aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger CL60 business jet with registration number T7-SEI and flight identification DWC052, had departed from Abuja bound for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
According to flight incident reports, the aircraft took off smoothly from Runway 22 at approximately 4:17 p.m. UTC.However, just three nautical miles into the flight while climbing through an altitude of 3,000 feet, the situation drastically escalated when a cabin door detached mid-flight.
Recognizing the severe risk of rapid cabin decompression and structural compromise, the flight crew immediately transmitted a urgent “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY” distress call at 4:20 p.m. UTC.
Air traffic control (ATC) acted swiftly, vectoring the stricken aircraft back toward the airport.Simultaneously, the airport’s emergency fire watch room and medical response teams were alerted and placed on high standby.The flight managed to land safely back at the Abuja airport, averting what could have been a catastrophic disaster.
Missing Door Found on Local Farm
In a bizarre twist, the detached aircraft door was later discovered by local farmers on a farmland area within the outskirts of Abuja. Amateur footage and photos circulated widely on social media, showing the heavy aircraft component recovered from the field.
While the exact number of passengers and crew on board at the time of the incident has not been officially confirmed, sources indicate that no casualties were recorded during the emergency landing.
Authorities Launch Investigation
The harrowing incident has reignited concerns regarding aviation safety protocols and the maintenance standards of private charter operations in the country.
When contacted, Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), acknowledged the incident, noting that formal investigations fall under the jurisdiction of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
Insiders at the NSIB confirmed that a team of investigators has been deployed to examine the wreckage, review pre-flight maintenance logs, and determine why the door failed shortly after takeoff.An official statement from safety regulators is expected in due course.
