All 68 passengers on board an Enugu Air flight escaped without injury on Thursday after the aircraft veered off the runway while landing at Benin Airport in Edo State amid heavy rainfall.
The aircraft, bearing registration number 5N-ENR, was operating a scheduled Enugu–Benin–Lagos service when the incident occurred at about 4:00 p.m., briefly causing panic among passengers and airport personnel.
Initial reports suggested the aircraft had crashed after it overshot the runway and came to rest in a bushy area near the airstrip. However, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) clarified that the occurrence was a runway excursion rather than a crash.
The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, explained that the aircraft landed safely before skidding off the runway due to adverse weather conditions caused by heavy rainfall.
According to him, all passengers and crew members were evacuated safely, with no injuries or fatalities recorded.
An airport official, who requested anonymity, said the aircraft experienced difficulties during landing and claimed its tyres detached in the process. The official, however, stressed that the aircraft did not crash-land but simply left the runway after touchdown.
Another airport source disclosed that officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) responded immediately, ensuring the prompt evacuation of everyone on board.
“There was no loss of life or injury. FAAN personnel acted swiftly to secure the aircraft and evacuate all passengers safely,” the source said.
Authorities confirmed that 68 passengers were on board, although the number of crew members had not been officially disclosed at the time of filing this report.
Videos circulating on social media showed passengers calmly exiting the aircraft after it came to a halt in a swampy area beside the runway.
The incident raised concerns among travellers and aviation stakeholders before the NCAA reassured the public that the aircraft had landed safely and only veered off the runway because of the prevailing weather conditions.
As of press time, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria had not issued an official statement. Efforts to obtain comments from FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku and Benin Airport’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Francis Oluseyi, were unsuccessful.
Aviation authorities are expected to investigate the runway excursion to determine its exact cause.
The incident has renewed attention on the challenges of flight operations during the rainy season, when poor visibility and wet runways can increase operational risks despite established safety procedures.
