By Joy Yesufu
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has recovered a door that detached from a private jet shortly after take-off from Abuja, as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The aircraft, a Challenger 604 business jet with registration number T7-SEI, operated by Triton, was travelling from Abuja to Lagos when the incident occurred.
According to the report, the aircraft took off at 16:12 UTC. About three nautical miles from the airport, while flying at an altitude of 3,500 feet, the crew issued a Mayday call after the door separated from the aircraft.
The pilots subsequently turned back and landed safely on Runway 22 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 16:34 UTC.
Nine people were on board, comprising three crew members and six passengers. The initial report did not provide details of any injuries.
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., confirmed that the detached door had been recovered and secured at the bureau’s wreckage hangar.
“The door has been recovered and secured at the NSIB wreckage hangar. The Bureau has commenced its investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the occurrence.
NSIB will provide further updates as the investigation progresses,” Badeh said.
The investigation is expected to establish how and why the door separated from the aircraft during flight and determine whether any technical, maintenance or other factors contributed to the occurrence.
The bureau said it would provide further information as the investigation progresses.
