The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released the preliminary report on its ongoing investigation into the accident involving an Embraer ERJ 170-100LR aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-ENR, operated by Enugu Air Limited.
The Bureau said the accident occurred on 23 July 2026 at about 14:55 h during a scheduled passenger flight ENU4264 from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to Oba Akenzua II Airport, Benin, Edo State.
The preliminary report released on Friday by the Bureau and signed by Mrs Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance said during the approach briefing, the First Officer stated that the autobrake system was not working and that manual braking would be used for landing.
It added that the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) information indicated that the aircraft touched down at about 1,641.5 m from the threshold of Runway 05 at a recorded groundspeed of about 138.2 kt.
The aircraft, which had five crew members and 63 passengers on board according to NSIB, landed on Runway 05 at Oba Akenzua II Airport and subsequently overran the end of the runway, entering the unpaved area beyond the runway.
It said the aircraft struck approach-lighting installations and two fixed concrete structures associated with a decommissioned localizer installation. All 68 occupants were evacuated without injury using the emergency escape slide.
One of the initial findings was that the Benin airport Tower advised the crew that the approach path to Runway 05 appeared cloudy and that the approach path to Runway 23 appeared better, the crew acknowledged and elected to continue the RNAV approach to Runway 05.
Apart from this, one of the issues that contributed to the accident was the presence of a tailwind component during the final approach and landing.
It added that the weather information display equipment provided for operational use at Benin tower was unserviceable at the time of the occurrence while an uncompleted building structure obstructed the controller’s line of sight towards the end of Runway 05 (Runway 23 threshold end).
“Weather deteriorated during the aircraft’s arrival, with moderate rain and reduced visibility reported before landing. ATC advised the crew that the approach path to Runway 23 appeared better than the approach path to Runway 05; the crew acknowledged and continued the RNAV approach to Runway 05. ATC, while issuing the landing clearance, also advised the crew that the runway surface was wet. The ATC communication given during the landing clearance to the crew did not include Runway Condition Report/Runway Condition Code (RCR/RWYCC).
“During the approach briefing, the crew stated that the autobrake system was not working and that manual braking would be used for landing. FDR data recorded a tailwind component during the final approach and landing.The aircraft crossed the Runway 05 threshold at a recorded radio altitude of about 93.5ft. The aircraft landed at about 1,641.5 m from the threshold of Runway 05.”, the NSIB stated.
It added that all occupants were evacuated without injury and there was no post-impact fire.
The aircraft, which had five crew members and 63 passengers on board, landed on Runway 05 at Oba Akenzua II Airport and subsequently overran the end of the runway, entering the unpaved area beyond the runway.
The aircraft struck approach-lighting installations and two fixed concrete structures associated with a decommissioned localizer installation. All 68 occupants were evacuated without injury using the emergency escape slide.
The preliminary report also contains four immediate safety recommendations, A-2026-039 to A-2026-042, addressed to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, concerning the runway-end environment, control tower line of sight and the availability of meteorological information.
The first safety recommendation urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ensure that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) remove the fixed structures of the decommissioned localizer installation located at the end of Runway 05 at Oba Akenzua II Airport, Benin.
IThe Bureau further asked the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ensure that the Control Tower is positioned to provide unrestricted view of all the movement areas of the aerodrome.
Under the third Safety Recommendation , the NSIB asked the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to provide a suitable control tower location for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to ensure unrestricted view of all the movement areas of the aerodrome.
Finally, the investigation body asked the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) restore and maintain the serviceability of the weather information display equipment provided for operational use at Oba Akenzua II Airport, Benin control tower, and ensure that current meteorological information is reliably available to Air Traffic Services for timely dissemination to flight crews.
“In accordance with Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the sole objective of the investigation is the prevention of accidents and incidents. It is not the purpose of the investigation to apportion blame or liability.”.
The Bureau noted that the information contained in the preliminary report is subject to further review and analysis, and its content may still change. The final report, it said will present the Bureau’s conclusions and any further safety recommendations arising from the completed investigation.
“The preliminary report presents the factual information gathered so far, including information from witness statements, flight recorders, air traffic control communications and a preliminary inspection of the aircraft. The investigation remains ongoing, and further technical examinations are underway.”, it added.
