BENIN CITY, EDO STATE – Tension gripped the Benin Airport on Thursday after an Enugu Air passenger aircraft carrying no fewer than 68 passengers crash-landed and overshot the runway, veering into a nearby bush during landing.
The aircraft, bearing registration number 5N-ENR, was reportedly operating on the Enugu–Benin–Lagos route when the incident occurred, raising fresh concerns over aviation safety despite the successful evacuation of everyone on board.
Airport sources disclosed that the aircraft experienced difficulty while landing before overshooting the runway and coming to a stop in the surrounding vegetation.
According to a source at the Benin Airport, officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) immediately activated emergency response procedures, swiftly evacuating all passengers and crew members to safety.
“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 airport source said.
The prompt intervention by airport emergency responders prevented what could have become a major aviation disaster.
Passengers were reportedly shaken by the incident but escaped without injuries, while emergency personnel secured the aircraft and the affected section of the airport shortly after the occurrence.
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of strict adherence to aviation safety protocols, runway management systems, and emergency preparedness across Nigerian airports.
Industry observers have praised the professionalism of FAAN’s emergency response teams, whose quick actions ensured the safe evacuation of all occupants and minimized potential risks.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) are expected to commence investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the runway excursion, including weather conditions, aircraft performance, operational procedures, and other contributory factors.
Aviation experts note that runway excursions remain among the most common incidents in global aviation, underscoring the need for continuous investment in airport infrastructure, pilot training, aircraft maintenance, and modern navigational systems.
The successful evacuation of all passengers has been widely regarded as a testament to the effectiveness of Nigeria’s airport emergency response framework.
Authorities are expected to issue further statements after preliminary investigations into the incident.
