NSIB Releases Preliminary Report on 5N-ENR Accident, Issues Four Safety Recommendations
Oru Leonard
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released its preliminary report on the accident involving an Embraer ERJ 170-100LR aircraft operated by Enugu Air Limited.
The aircraft, with nationality and registration marks 5N-ENR, was involved in an accident on July 23, 2026, at about 2:55 p.m. while operating scheduled passenger flight ENU4264 from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to Oba Akenzua II Airport, Benin, Edo State.
According to Mrs Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the aircraft, carrying 63 passengers and five crew members, landed on Runway 05 at the Benin airport but subsequently overran the runway end and entered the unpaved area beyond the runway.
During the overrun, the aircraft struck approach-lighting installations and two fixed concrete structures associated with a decommissioned localizer installation.
The Bureau said all 68 occupants were safely evacuated without injury through the aircraft’s emergency escape slides.
The preliminary report contains factual information gathered during the ongoing investigation, including witness statements, flight recorder data, air traffic control communications and findings from an initial inspection of the aircraft.
However, the NSIB stressed that the investigation remains ongoing, with further technical examinations still being conducted.
As part of the preliminary findings, the Bureau issued four immediate safety recommendations, identified as A-2026-039 to A-2026-042, to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
The recommendations address issues relating to the runway-end environment, control tower line of sight and availability of meteorological information.
The NSIB also released a preliminary flight-path recreation video based on data available at the current stage of the investigation, saying the initiative was part of its commitment to transparency and the communication of safety information to the public and the media.
The Bureau explained that the investigation was being conducted in accordance with Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, whose primary objective is the prevention of future accidents and incidents.
It emphasised that the investigation was not intended to apportion blame or liability.
The NSIB further cautioned that the information contained in the preliminary report remains subject to further review and analysis and could change as the investigation progresses.
The Bureau said the final report would contain its conclusions and any additional safety recommendations arising from the completed investigation.
The preliminary report and flight-path recreation video are available through the NSIB’s official channels.
