By Isaac Mission
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released its preliminary findings into the July 23 accident involving an Enugu Air aircraft at the Oba Akenzua II Airport in Benin City, Edo State.
The Embraer ERJ 170-100LR, registered as 5N-ENR, was operating flight ENU4264 from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to Benin when it ran beyond the end of Runway 05 at about 2:55 p.m.
According to the preliminary report, the aircraft's autobrake system was inoperative before landing. The flight crew was aware of the fault and had planned to rely on manual braking.
Weather conditions also became increasingly difficult as the aircraft approached Benin. Rain and reduced visibility were reported around the airport. Although the crew had initially been cleared for an Instrument Landing System approach to Runway 23, they requested an RNAV approach to Runway 05, which air traffic control approved.
The tower later informed the crew that the approach to Runway 05 appeared cloudy, while conditions along Runway 23 were considered better. Despite the information, the crew continued with the Runway 05 approach.
At about 2:48 p.m., the crew was advised that visibility had fallen to approximately 1,500 metres in moderate rain. During the approach briefing, the First Officer confirmed that the autobrake was unavailable and that manual braking would be used.
The aircraft, with an estimated landing weight of about 32,000kg, was cleared to land on the wet Runway 05 at 2:53:24 p.m.
It touched down approximately 1,641.5 metres from the beginning of the 2,400-metre runway at a groundspeed of about 138.2 knots. The investigation also established that the aircraft encountered a tailwind during its final approach and landing, with the estimated tailwind reaching about 12 knots near the runway threshold.
After touchdown, flight recorder data showed that braking was applied and the ground spoilers activated. The thrust reversers were also found deployed following the accident.
However, the aircraft could not stop before reaching the end of the runway. It crossed the blast pad and entered the unpaved area beyond the runway, where it struck approach lights and two concrete structures linked to a decommissioned localizer installation.
The collision resulted in the separation of the nose landing gear and both main landing gear assemblies. The aircraft eventually stopped approximately 325 metres beyond the runway end.
Seven approach lights were damaged, while the aircraft suffered substantial damage to several components, including its landing gear, engine cowling, horizontal stabiliser, forward lower fuselage, ailerons and flaps.
Despite the significant damage, the accident was classified as survivable. All 68 people on board were evacuated safely through the rear-left emergency exit slide, with no injuries reported.
The NSIB also raised concerns about airport and weather-related factors. A 1400 UTC meteorological report showed visibility of 1,000 metres in moderate rain. The investigation further noted that air traffic control communications did not include a runway condition report or runway condition code for the flight crew.
In addition, the weather information display system at the Benin control tower was reportedly out of service. An unfinished building was also identified as obstructing the tower's view toward the far end of Runway 05.
As part of its immediate safety actions, the NSIB issued four recommendations to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). The recommendations include removing the fixed structures belonging to the abandoned localizer installation, improving visibility from the control tower and restoring the weather information display system.
The bureau stressed that its preliminary findings should not be interpreted as the final cause of the accident.
Further investigation will focus on runway conditions and reporting, meteorological information, the aircraft's landing gear and impact sequence, crew experience and training, operational decisions, and Enugu Air's procedures.
The NSIB said the investigation is being conducted primarily to identify safety lessons and prevent similar accidents in the future, rather than to assign blame or determine liability.