Enugu Air has attributed the safe outcome of its recent runway excursion to the professionalism of its flight crew, favourable weather conditions and the swift emergency response that followed the incident.
The airline’s Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Manager, Captain Tolu Ita, said the expertise of the pilots, combined with the rainy conditions and grassy terrain surrounding the runway, helped prevent what could have been a far more serious aviation accident.
The incident involved Flight 4264, registration number 5N-ENR, which was travelling from Lagos to Benin on Thursday. The aircraft overran the runway after landing, but all 63 passengers and five crew members on board were safely evacuated without loss of life.
Speaking during an interview on TVC News, Ita explained that preliminary findings from the airline’s internal review indicate that the aircraft made a normal landing before the crew deployed both the braking system and reverse thrust. However, the aircraft failed to stop before leaving the runway.
According to her, once the aircraft came to a halt, the crew immediately initiated emergency evacuation procedures, allowing passengers to exit safely despite the challenging situation.
She noted that while Enugu Air has completed its preliminary internal investigation, the official cause of the runway excursion will only be determined after the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) concludes its independent investigation, including an examination of the aircraft’s flight data recorder.
Ita stressed that the airline has fully cooperated with investigators, adding that its engineering team is working alongside the NSIB to recover and analyse the aircraft’s “black box,” which contains critical flight information needed to establish exactly what happened.
The Enugu Air boss also urged Nigerians not to judge the airline’s safety record based on a single occurrence, revealing that the carrier has successfully completed more than 3,500 flights since receiving its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) on March 10 and commencing commercial operations on March 16.
She argued that runway excursions have occurred in several reputable airlines without permanently damaging their safety records, noting that aviation safety depends on the collective performance of airlines, regulators, airport infrastructure and support services. Reflecting on the incident, Ita expressed gratitude that there was no fire despite the collapse of the aircraft’s two main landing gears, one of which reportedly gave way beneath a wing containing fuel.
She added that the wet weather and soft grassy surface may have helped prevent sparks that could have ignited the fuel, while also commending the pilots for handling the emergency with professionalism and composure. The airline says it remains committed to safety as investigations continue into the incident.
