- A Bombardier Challenger 600 series private jet operated by Triton Aviation reportedly lost a door shortly after taking off from Abuja on 15 October 2026
- The crew issued a Mayday distress call at around 3,000 feet, prompting air traffic controllers to direct the aircraft back to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where it landed safely
- Farmers later reportedly discovered the missing door on farmland near Abuja, while Nigeria’s aviation safety investigators were deployed to examine the incident
A private jet reportedly linked to Nigerian business tycoon Kola Karim lost a door shortly after take-off from Abuja, forcing the crew to declare an emergency and return to the airport.
Source: Getty Images
The incident occurred on Thursday, 15 October 2026, when a Bombardier Challenger 600 series aircraft operated by Triton Aviation departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja for Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The aircraft, registered as T7-SEI and operating under flight identification DWC052, took off from Runway 22 at 4:17 pm UTC.
According to reports, the crew issued a Mayday distress call about three minutes later as the aircraft climbed through approximately 3,000 feet. The pilots alerted air traffic control that a door had come open during the flight.
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The incident prompted an immediate response from airport authorities, who instructed the crew to turn back to Abuja as reported by Yen News.
Private jet makes emergency return to Abuja
Emergency services, including fire crews, response teams and medical personnel, were positioned along the runway in preparation for the aircraft’s return.
At approximately 4:29 pm UTC, the crew contacted the Abuja control tower to ask whether ground personnel could confirm if the door remained attached to the aircraft.
The jet landed safely on Runway 22 at around 4:34 pm UTC, approximately 14 minutes after the Mayday distress call.
Following the landing, the duty controller confirmed that the door was missing. A marshaller then guided the aircraft to the international apron extension, where it was parked.
Authorities had not confirmed how many passengers were aboard the jet when the incident occurred.
The video was subsequently shared by Kwadwo Sheldon studios.
See the video below:
Missing aircraft door discovered on farmland
The incident attracted further attention after farmers in the Abuja area reportedly found the missing door on their farmland.
Video footage obtained by Nigerian newspaper The Punch showed the recovered component, with a man describing how the farmers discovered it after returning from their fields.
The discovery raised concerns about the potential danger posed when aircraft components fall from the sky, particularly in areas where people are working or living.
However, the exact circumstances surrounding the door’s detachment had not been established in the reports available at the time.
Nigerian aviation authorities begin investigation
Michael Achimugu, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, reportedly confirmed the incident and explained that the investigation fell under the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
A source within the NSIB said the bureau’s management had deployed investigators to the scene and that an official statement was expected.
Triton Aviation had not issued a public comment at the time the report was published.
Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine what caused the door to detach during flight. Any conclusions about possible maintenance issues, mechanical failure or other contributing factors will depend on the investigation’s findings.
Although the aircraft returned safely to Abuja, the incident has drawn attention to aircraft safety procedures and maintenance standards in Nigeria’s private aviation sector.
The cause of the door loss and the full circumstances of the incident remain unconfirmed.
Source: TUKO.co.ke