The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has raised fresh safety concerns over the runway-end environment, control tower visibility and availability of weather information at the Oba Akenzua II Airport, Benin, following a runway overrun involving an Enugu Air aircraft.
The concerns were contained in the bureau’s preliminary report on the July 23, 2026 incident, which led to four immediate safety recommendations to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
The incident involved an Embraer ERJ 170-100LR aircraft, operated by Enugu Air, which was conducting scheduled passenger flight ENU4264 from Lagos to Benin.
According to the report, the aircraft, carrying 63 passengers and five crew members, landed on Runway 05 at about 2:55 p.m. before overrunning the runway and entering the unpaved area beyond its end.
The aircraft subsequently struck approach-lighting installations and two fixed concrete structures linked to a decommissioned localiser installation.
Despite the incident, the NSIB confirmed that all 68 occupants were safely evacuated without injuries through the aircraft’s emergency escape slides.
The bureau said its preliminary findings were based on witness accounts, flight recorder data, air traffic control communications and an initial examination of the aircraft.
The four immediate safety recommendations, numbered A-2026-039 to A-2026-042, address concerns relating to the runway-end environment, control tower line of sight and the availability of meteorological information.
The NSIB, however, stressed that the investigation is still ongoing and that the preliminary findings remain subject to further technical examination and analysis.
The bureau also released a preliminary reconstruction of the aircraft’s flight path as part of its commitment to transparency and public safety awareness.
According to the report, the crew had initially been cleared for an Instrument Landing System approach to Runway 23 but later obtained approval to conduct an RNAV approach to Runway 05.
During the approach, the crew reportedly expressed concern about rain around the airport, while the control tower advised that the approach to Runway 23 appeared to offer better conditions.
The crew nevertheless continued with the approach to Runway 05.
The tower later reported visibility of about 1,500 metres in moderate rain and cleared the aircraft to land, while warning that the runway surface was wet.
The NSIB emphasised that the preliminary report does not establish blame or liability, noting that its investigation is solely aimed at identifying safety lessons and preventing future aviation accidents.
The bureau said a final report containing its conclusions and any additional safety recommendations would be released after the investigation is completed.
