A CL60 aircraft operated by Triton Aviation returned safely to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after its crew issued a distress call reporting that a door had opened during flight, with air traffic control later confirming that the door was missing.
A CL60 aircraft operated by Triton Aviation has made an emergency landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after its crew reported that a door opened and subsequently went missing shortly after take-off.
According to a serious incident report, the aircraft, registered as T7-SEI, departed Abuja for Lagos at 16:17 UTC on Thursday. Three minutes later, while flying approximately three nautical miles from the airport at an altitude of 3,000 feet, the crew transmitted a “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY” distress call.
The crew informed air traffic control that a door had opened in flight, prompting controllers to instruct the aircraft to return to Abuja for an emergency landing on Runway 22.
Emergency Response Activated at Abuja Airport
Following the distress call, airport emergency personnel were placed on standby as air traffic controllers coordinated the aircraft’s return.
The report stated that the airport’s fire watch room and medical team were alerted at 16:22 UTC and instructed to remain prepared for the aircraft’s arrival. Fire response personnel were also directed to position themselves at designated locations A4 and A5.
At 16:29 UTC, the crew contacted Abuja Tower to ask whether controllers could see the open door.
The duty air traffic controller attempted to examine the aircraft with binoculars but was unable to confirm the door’s condition because of the aircraft’s position. The crew was subsequently informed that the controller could not see it.
Aircraft Lands Safely Without the Door
The aircraft landed safely on Runway 22 at approximately 16:34 UTC, about 17 minutes after departing Abuja.
Following the landing, the duty air traffic controller observed that the door was missing from the aircraft’s fuselage, confirming the seriousness of the incident.
The aircraft was subsequently moved to the international apron extension, where it was parked with the assistance of a marshaller at approximately 16:40 UTC.
The report did not provide further details about the precise cause of the door opening or separation, or whether anyone was injured during the incident.
NSIB Investigators Deployed
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has deployed investigators to examine the incident and establish the circumstances surrounding the aircraft’s emergency return.
The bureau’s media team confirmed that the incident had occurred and said an official statement would be released.
The investigation is expected to provide additional information about what happened during the flight and the circumstances under which the aircraft’s door became detached.
The incident highlights the importance of aircraft safety procedures and coordination between flight crews, air traffic controllers and airport emergency response teams during in-flight emergencies.
