The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into the mid-air separation of a door from a private jet operated by Triton Aviation shortly after take-off from Abuja....
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into the mid-air separation of a door from a private jet operated by Triton Aviation shortly after take-off from Abuja.
The bureau also confirmed that all nine people on board the Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft — three crew members and six passengers — were accounted for after the aircraft returned safely to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The incident occurred on Thursday, October 15, 2026, as the aircraft, registered T7-SEI, was operating flight DWC052 from Abuja to the 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 emergency after the door detached.
The crew subsequently returned to Abuja, landing safely on Runway 22 at 16:34 UTC.
In a statement on Friday, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr, confirmed that the missing door had been recovered.
“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,” he said.
The bureau added that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.
NCAA confirms incident
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) also confirmed the occurrence but referred further enquiries to the NSIB, which is responsible for investigating serious aviation incidents.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the door separation. No cause has been officially determined.
The aircraft’s safe return followed an emergency response by air traffic controllers, who directed the crew back to Abuja and alerted airport fire and medical teams to stand by.
The missing door was reportedly found on farmland in the Abuja area before it was recovered and secured by the NSIB.
The bureau said it would release additional information as the investigation progresses.