The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has recovered a door that detached from a private jet shortly after take-off from Abuja, as investigators begin examining the incident.
The aircraft, a Challenger 604 business jet with registration number T7-SEI, is operated by Triton and was travelling from Abuja to Lagos when the incident occurred.
According to the report, the jet took off at 16:12 UTC. When it was about three nautical miles from the airport and flying at an altitude of 3,500 feet, the crew issued a mayday call after the aircraft’s door separated from the plane.
The pilots subsequently turned back and landed safely on Runway 22 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 16:34 UTC.
There were nine people on board, including three crew members and six passengers. The report provided no further details about possible injuries.
The NSIB Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Captain Alex Badeh Jr, confirmed that the missing door had been found and that the investigation was under way.
“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 bureau is expected to determine the circumstances that led to the door separating from the aircraft during the flight.
The investigation will seek to establish what happened before the crew declared an emergency and identify any factors that may have contributed to the incident.
The NSIB said it would release additional information as the investigation progresses.
NSIB recovers door that fell off private jet shortly after Abuja take-off