The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has issued four immediate safety recommendations to aviation authorities following a runway overrun incident involving an Enugu Air aircraft at Oba Akenzua II Airport in Benin, Edo State. The accident occurred on July 23, 2026, when an Embraer ERJ 170-100LR aircraft with registration marks 5N-ENR overran the runway and struck approach lighting installations and concrete structures from a decommissioned localiser installation.
According to the preliminary report disclosed by NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance Funke Arowojobe, the aircraft was operating scheduled passenger flight ENU4264 from Lagos to Benin with five crew members and 63 passengers aboard. Despite the severity of the incident, all 68 occupants were safely evacuated without injury using the aircraft’s emergency escape slides, demonstrating effective emergency response procedures.
The bureau raised critical safety concerns regarding the runway environment, control tower line of sight, and availability of meteorological information. The recommendations, numbered A-2026-039 to A-2026-042, were directed to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and Nigerian Meteorological Agency as part of the ongoing investigation.
Investigators have gathered factual information from multiple sources including witness statements, flight recorders, air traffic control communications, and preliminary aircraft inspections. However, the bureau emphasized that further technical examinations remain underway before final conclusions can be reached.
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