Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has begun an investigation into an incident involving a foreign-registered aircraft operated by Triton Aviation after the airline’s crew reported that a door of the aircraft opened mid-air shortly after taking off from Abuja on Thursday, RaveNewsOnline reports.
A viral video, showed that farmers found the missing door on a farm in Abuja.
Thee aircraft with the registration number T7-SEI and flight identification DWC052, was departing Abuja for the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, when the incident occurred at about 4:20 p.m.
The aircraft had taken off from Runway 22 at 4:17 p.m. UTC and was about three nautical miles from the airport, climbing through 3,000 feet, when the crew declared an emergency by transmitting “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.”
According to the report, the crew had reported that a door had opened in flight, prompting the approach radar controller to direct the aircraft back to Abuja for an emergency landing.
Following the distress call, the airport’s fire watch room and medical team were alerted and instructed to remain on standby, the report said.
Fire and emergency personnel were also directed to position themselves at designated locations, A4 and A5, in preparation for the aircraft’s return.
The report added: “At about 4:29 p.m. UTC, while in contact with the Abuja control tower, the crew asked whether air traffic controllers could confirm if the door was open.
“The duty air traffic controller attempted to observe the aircraft using binoculars, but could not establish the door’s condition because of the aircraft’s position. The crew was subsequently informed that the controller could not confirm the situation visually.
“The aircraft landed safely on Runway 22 at approximately 4:34 p.m. UTC, 14 minutes after the Mayday call.”
The Air Traffic Control report pointed out further that following the landing, the duty controller observed that the aircraft’s door was missing from the fuselage, confirming the seriousness of the incident.
The aircraft was subsequently taxied to the international apron extension, where it was parked with the assistance of a marshaller.
At about 4:40 p.m. UTC, the crew reported that the marshaller was in sight before the aircraft was positioned in its parking area.
Besides, a video seen, confirmed that the missing door was found by some farmers in the bush.
A male voice whose identify could not be confirmed as of the time of filing this report, said the farmers found the aircraft door in their farm.
“This is what we found as we were returning from our farm. It fell from a plane, but we don’t know much about its identity. As I am sending it to you, sir, just check it.”
As of the time of filing this report, the number of passengers onboard the flight could not be ascertained, while the Triton Aviation, the operator of the jet could not be reached.
Also, when contacted Michael Achimugu,, director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirmed the incident, but said the agency could not comment on it.
But, NSIB, said that it has begun an investigation into an incident involving the foreign-registered aircraft.
In a statement issued Friday and signed by Alex Badeh Jr., its director-general and CEO, the NSIB said it recovered the missing door and secured it at its wreckage hangar.
“The bureau has commenced its investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the occurrence,” the statement said.
The aircraft’s crew declared a Mayday emergency after reporting that a door had opened during flight shortly after take-off.
Airport fire, rescue personnel and medical teams were placed on standby while air traffic controllers directed the aircraft back to Abuja.
The aircraft landed safely, and the air traffic controller subsequently observed that the door was missing from the fuselage.
