NSIB Releases Preliminary Report on Enugu Air Runway Overrun in Benin

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released its preliminary report on the July 23, 2026 accident involving an Embraer ERJ 170-100LR aircraft operated by Enugu Air Limited at Oba Akenzua II Airport, Benin City, Edo State.

The aircraft, with nationality and registration marks 5N-ENR, was operating scheduled passenger flight ENU4264 from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to Benin when the accident occurred at about 2:55 p.m.

According to the NSIB, the aircraft had five crew members and 63 passengers on board when it landed on Runway 05 at Oba Akenzua II Airport.

The aircraft subsequently overran the end of the runway, entering the unpaved area beyond the runway threshold.

During the overrun, the aircraft struck approach-lighting installations and two fixed concrete structures associated with a decommissioned localizer installation.

Despite the incident, all 68 occupants escaped without injury, with passengers and crew evacuated from the aircraft using the emergency escape slides.

NSIB Issues Four Safety Recommendations

The preliminary report contains four immediate safety recommendations, identified as A-2026-039 to A-2026-042.

The recommendations were addressed to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

The recommendations cover issues relating to the runway-end environment, control tower line of sight and the availability of meteorological information.

The NSIB said the recommendations were issued as part of efforts to address identified safety concerns while the full investigation into the accident continues.

The Bureau stressed that the preliminary report represents findings available at this stage of the investigation and does not constitute a final determination of the causes of the accident.

The full investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the runway overrun and identify further measures that may be required to prevent a recurrence.

The preliminary report has been made available on the NSIB website for members of the public and the media.

The July 23 incident attracted attention within Nigeria’s aviation sector, particularly because the aircraft was carrying 68 people and sustained an overrun after landing, but all occupants were successfully evacuated without reported injuries.