Triton Aviation Aircraft Loses Door Mid-Air, Lands Safely in Abuja
A CL60 aircraft operated by Triton Aviation has made an emergency landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after its crew reported that a door had opened and gone missing while the aircraft was airborne.
The aircraft, with registration number T7-SEI, departed Abuja for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 4:17 p.m. on Thursday.
According to a serious incident report, the aircraft was about three nautical miles from the airport and at an altitude of 3,000 feet when the crew issued a “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY” distress call at 4:20 p.m.
The report stated that air traffic control directed the aircraft back to Abuja for an emergency landing on Runway 22 following the crew’s report of an open door in flight.
At 4:22 p.m., the airport’s fire watch room and medical team were alerted and placed on standby, while firefighters were directed to designated positions ahead of the aircraft’s arrival.
The report further stated that at 4:29 p.m., the crew asked Abuja Tower whether air traffic controllers could see the open door.
The duty air traffic controller reportedly used binoculars to inspect the aircraft but could not see the door because of the aircraft’s position. The crew was subsequently informed.
The aircraft landed safely on Runway 22 at 4:34 p.m. Following the landing, the duty controller observed that the door was missing from the aircraft’s fuselage.
The aircraft was subsequently taxied to the international apron extension and parked with the assistance of a marshaller at about 4:40 p.m.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the incident, saying its investigators were at the scene.
“Yes, it happened. The investigators are there. We will be releasing an official statement shortly,” the NSIB media team said.
The cause of the incident and the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the aircraft’s door were not immediately known.
The bureau is expected to provide further details in its official statement.
