Jet Door Rips Off Mid-Flight, Aircraft Makes Emergency Landing in Abuja

A private jet lost a door in mid-air and returned to Abuja for an emergency landing on Thursday.

The aircraft, a CL60 operated by Triton Aviation, had just left Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for Lagos.

Its registration number is T7-SEI.

The jet departed Abuja for Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 4:17 p.m.

Three minutes later, the crew sent a distress call.

According to a serious incident report, the aircraft was about three nautical miles from the airport and at 3,000 feet when the crew made a “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY” call at 4:20 p.m.

The crew reported that a door had opened in flight.

Air traffic control then directed the aircraft back to Abuja for an emergency landing on Runway 22.

Fire Crew On Standby As Jet Returns

The report gave a detailed account of the incident.

“At 1620 UTC, APP-RADAR informed Tower DWCO52 a CL60 with registration marking T7SEI that departed Abuja at 1617 UTC runway 22 to DNMM at 3 nautical miles outbound, passing 3000ft made a MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY call,” it stated.

“DWC052 reported an open door in flight. Radar vectored the aircraft back to land using runway 22.”

At 4:22 p.m., the fire watch room and medical team were told to be on standby.

The fire crew was asked to position at A4 and A5.

At 4:29 p.m., Abuja Tower was in contact with the aircraft.

The crew asked the Tower if it could see the open door.

“The Duty air traffic controller (DATCO) used the birocular to view the aircraft but was unable to view the door because of the position of the aircraft, and the crew was advised,” the report said.

At 4:34 p.m., the jet landed safely on Runway 22.

On landing, the controller could clearly see the fuselage.

The door was missing from the aircraft.

The jet was taxied to the International apron extension.

At 4:40 p.m., the crew reported the marshaller in sight and was parked.

NSIB Confirms Investigation

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the serious incident.

Its media team said investigators were already at the scene.

“Yes, it happened. The investigators are there. We will be releasing an official statement shortly,” the team said.

The NSIB is the agency responsible for investigating transport accidents and serious incidents in Nigeria.