ABUJA, Nigeria — A private jet lost its passenger door during a flight from Abuja to Lagos, forcing its pilots to declare an emergency and return to the airport.
All nine people aboard the aircraft escaped injury, although the jet sustained substantial damage.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) disclosed new details of the incident in a preliminary report released on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
The report revealed that the door detached shortly after take-off on October 15, as a cabin crew member approached it for an inspection ordered by the captain.
The aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 604 operated by Triton Aviation Limited, was carrying six passengers and three crew members.
Cabin Pressure Problem Preceded Door Detachment
According to the NSIB’s preliminary findings, the aircraft was climbing after departing Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport when the pilots noticed an abnormal change in cabin altitude.
The cabin altitude was increasing at approximately 4,000 feet per minute, raising concerns about a possible pressurisation problem.
The captain instructed the pilot flying the aircraft to reduce the rate of climb and directed the cabin crew to inspect the passenger door.
The cabin crew member initially examined the door from her seat and reported that it appeared properly secured.
She also observed that the green indicator band, used to show the door’s locking position, appeared correctly aligned.
The captain requested another inspection because of the continuing concern about cabin pressure.
As the crew member approached the door for a closer examination, it opened and separated from the aircraft.
The captain immediately assumed control of the jet, while the first officer took over monitoring responsibilities.
The preliminary report has not established why the door opened or detached.
Pilots Declare Emergency and Return to Abuja
The flight crew contacted air traffic controllers immediately after the door separated from the aircraft.
According to the report, the pilots transmitted a Mayday distress call at approximately 5:19 p.m. local time.
The crew informed Abuja Radar Control that the aircraft’s door had opened and requested assistance in returning to the airport.
Controllers acknowledged the emergency and provided instructions for the aircraft to change direction.
After confirming that the jet could make a right turn, the pilots received clearance to proceed towards Abuja.
The crew subsequently requested permission to begin its approach.
Air traffic controllers cleared the aircraft for an instrument landing approach after establishing its position north of the airport.
The jet landed safely on Runway 22 at approximately 5:34 p.m., about 15 minutes after the emergency began.
All six passengers and three crew members disembarked without injuries.
The aircraft sustained substantial damage, according to the investigation bureau.
Missing Aircraft Door Found in Abuja Farmland
Investigators subsequently located the detached door in a cornfield at Gui Village, within the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
The location was approximately five miles southwest of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The initial investigation began after the bureau received notification of the occurrence.
Investigators were dispatched to examine the aircraft and recover the missing component.
The door was secured at the NSIB’s wreckage hangar for further examination.
The aircraft, bearing registration number T7-SEI, was operating as flight DWC052 on a non-scheduled service to Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The incident was confirmed by aviation authorities shortly after the emergency landing.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority referred questions about the investigation to the NSIB, which is responsible for determining the circumstances of aviation accidents and serious incidents.
Investigators Yet to Determine Cause
The NSIB said its preliminary report sets out information gathered from the initial investigation, including the sequence of events and safety issues identified so far.
However, the bureau emphasised that the findings do not constitute a final determination of what caused the door to separate from the aircraft.
The agency said it would continue examining the evidence before issuing its conclusions.
Its final report will include an analysis of the incident, findings on contributing factors, and additional safety recommendations where appropriate.
The investigation is being conducted under Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, which provides international standards for aircraft accident and incident investigations.
The bureau has not announced when its final report will be published.
