The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation after a Triton Aviation aircraft lost its door mid-air shortly after departing Abuja for Lagos.
The aircraft, a foreign-registered Bombardier Challenger 604 with registration number T7-SEI and flight ID DWC052, departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 16:12 UTC on Thursday, October 15, en route to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
According to the NSIB, the aircraft was about three nautical miles from the airport and climbing through 3,500 feet when the crew declared a "Mayday" distress call following the separation of the door from the fuselage.
The aircraft returned to Abuja and landed safely on Runway 22 at 16:34 UTC — about 14 minutes after the Mayday call. Nine people were on board, comprising three crew members and six passengers, all unhurt.
Fire and rescue teams were placed on standby after the distress call, while the duty air traffic controller attempted to confirm the aircraft's condition with binoculars but could not establish it due to the aircraft's position.
Upon landing, controllers confirmed the door was missing from the fuselage. The jet was taxied to the international apron extension and parked with the assistance of a marshaller.
In a statement on Friday, NSIB Director-General and CEO, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., said the detached door had been recovered and secured at the bureau's wreckage hangar.
"The Bureau has commenced its investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the occurrence," Badeh said. "NSIB will provide further updates as the investigation progresses."
The Challenger 604 is registered in San Marino. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) also confirmed the incident but referred enquiries to the NSIB, which is mandated to investigate serious incidents for safety lessons.
