An Enugu Air Embraer E170 carrying 63 passengers and five crew members overran the runway while landing at Benin Airport in Nigeria on July 23, coming to rest in vegetation beyond the runway as those on board evacuated in rainy conditions.
The Enugu Air runway overrun caused substantial damage to the aircraft, though no injuries were reported among the 68 people aboard. The aircraft, operating as Flight 4264 with registration 5N-ENR, was travelling from Lagos to Benin when it overran the end of Runway 05 during landing at approximately 3:10pm local time.
Nigeria’s Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed that all passengers and crew were accounted for, with no injuries recorded.
How the Incident UnfoldedHeavy rain was falling as the aircraft arrived, and Michael Achimugu, director of public affairs and consumer protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said the aircraft landed safely before skidding off the runway due to adverse weather conditions.
Images from the scene showed the aircraft had suffered substantial damage, coming to rest on rough, muddy ground on its fuselage underside, with part of its landing gear broken away.
Benin City Airport has a single runway, designated 05/23, measuring 2,400 metres by 45 metres, and sits in the middle of the city with little clearance beyond either threshold. Airline and Regulators Respond Enugu Air confirmed that none of the passengers or crew were hurt and that everyone on board disembarked safely.
“An assessment of the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the occurrence is currently under way,” the airline said in a statement, adding that the safety of its passengers, crew and operations remained its highest priority.
The carrier said the aircraft had been secured and that relevant aviation authorities had been notified, warning that some flight schedules could see temporary adjustments as a result. The NSIB said its specialised “Go Team” was deployed to the site within minutes of receiving official notification.
“We are relieved that all passengers and crew members are safe and that no injuries were reported,” the bureau said in a statement. “While this is reassuring, every runway excursion is a serious occurrence that deserves a thorough and independent investigation.
” The bureau urged the public to refrain from speculation while investigators carry out their work in line with international standards, and confirmed that both the NCAA and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had been notified.
What Investigators Will ExamineInvestigators have yet to confirm several key details that typically determine the cause of wet-runway overruns, including the aircraft’s touchdown point, its approach speed, the runway’s surface condition at the time, and whether the crew received a braking action report.
The NSIB is expected to issue a preliminary report in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 13 guidelines. About Enugu AirEnugu Air is a small, state-owned Nigerian carrier operating a fleet of Embraer aircraft from Akanu Ibiam International Airport, serving domestic routes including Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin and Warri.
The airline began operations in July 2025 as a virtual carrier, flying under the air operator’s certificate of Nigerian operator XEJet before obtaining its own certification from the NCAA in March 2026.
