NSIB Probes Enugu Air Runway Overshoot at Benin Airport

Nigeria's aviation safety watchdog has begun examining the circumstances of a runway overshoot involving an Enugu Air regional jet at Benin Airport on Thursday afternoon. The Embraer E170 aircraft, carrying Flight 4264 from Lagos, departed the runway surface after touching down on Runway 05 at approximately 3:10 p.m. local time.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed that all 63 passengers and five crew members evacuated safely with no reported injuries. The incident aircraft, registered 5N-ENR, came to rest beyond the runway boundary after overshooting its landing zone.

NSIB has formally opened a technical investigation into the event, which marks a significant operational disruption at one of Nigeria's busier regional airports. The bureau's inquiry will examine factors including weather conditions, aircraft systems performance, and crew procedures during the landing sequence.

The runway excursion prompted the closure of Benin Airport's primary landing surface. Air Peace, which operates scheduled services from the airport, subsequently halted all its flights to and from the facility pending runway restoration and clearance.

The airline cited the airport closure as the reason for the suspension, noting that the decision affected multiple daily rotations. The NSIB investigation is ongoing, with findings expected to inform safety recommendations within the Nigerian aviation sector.

Runway excursions, while typically survivable due to modern aircraft design, remain a priority focus for regulators examining operational safety. The incident underscores the role of regional airports in Nigeria's air transport network and the importance of swift investigative response.