Key Takeaways
- Enugu Air Flight 4264 experienced a runway excursion with 63 passengers and 5 crew members on board, but all were safely evacuated.
- The airline credits the professionalism of its flight crew and favourable weather conditions for the safe outcome.
- The incident is under investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the airline's internal team.
The management of Enugu State-owned carrier, Enugu Air, has attributed the safe outcome of the airline’s recent runway excursion to the professionalism of its flight crew and favourable weather conditions. An Enugu Air Flight 4264, with registration number 5N-ENR, from Lagos to Benin, suffered a runway excursion on Thursday, but all 63 passengers and five crew members on board were safely evacuated.
According to Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Manager of the airline, Captain Tolu Ita, the pilots handled the situation expertly, and the wet conditions and grassy terrain may have prevented the incident from escalating into a serious issue. Ita revealed that the aircraft landed on the runway, deployed its brakes and reverse thrust, but failed to stop before overrunning the runway.
Ita urged travellers not to stop flying the airline, emphasizing that a single incident could not define Enugu Air’s safety record. The airline has successfully completed over 3,500 flights since obtaining its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) on March 10 and commencing operations on March 16.
Investigation and Response
The incident is under investigation by the NSIB, and the airline is cooperating fully with the authority. The airline's engineers are working with the NSIB to retrieve the flight recorder, also known as the black box, which will provide crucial information on the incident.
Ita stressed that the airline's safety record remains intact, citing the successful completion of over 3,500 flights. She acknowledged that even leading airlines experience incidents, but these do not necessarily define their safety records.
Why This Matters
The safe outcome of the runway excursion is a testament to the airline's commitment to safety and the expertise of its crew. As the investigation continues, the airline's transparency and cooperation with authorities will be crucial in maintaining public trust and confidence in the airline's operations.