Enugu Air E170 Runway Excursion Closes Benin Airport

An Enugu Air Embraer E170 operating Flight 4264 from Lagos suffered a runway excursion at Benin Airport on Thursday, July 23, 2026, temporarily closing the facility. The aircraft, registration 5N-ENR, overran the end of Runway 05 during its landing roll at approximately 3:10 p.m. local time.

All 63 passengers and five crew members were evacuated without injuries or fatalities. In a statement, Enugu Air CEO Capt. Tolu Ita attributed the excursion to hydroplaning on a wet runway surface. Chairman Richard Agu stressed that the aircraft had completed its landing before departing the paved surface, characterizing the event as a runway excursion rather than a crash.

Investigation and Operational Impact

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) deployed a go-team to collect physical and digital evidence and interview the flight crew; a preliminary report is expected within 30 days. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) closed the runway to support the investigation and aircraft recovery, leading Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines to suspend Benin service. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is providing regulatory oversight as investigators review operational data and weather conditions.