NSIB Launches Probe After Private Jet Makes Emergency Return To Abuja

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into an aviation incident involving a Challenger 604 aircraft operated by Triton after its door reportedly separated shortly after take-off from Abuja.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the aircraft, with registration number T7-SEI, departed Abuja for Lagos at 16:12 UTC on Thursday, October 15, 2026, before the crew declared an emergency while climbing.

In a statement signed by its Director-General, Captain Alex Badeh Jnr., the NSIB said the aircraft had travelled approximately three nautical miles and climbed to about 3,500 feet above sea level when the crew issued a distress call, known in aviation terminology as a “Mayday”, following the separation of the door.

The aircraft subsequently returned to Abuja and landed safely on Runway 22 at approximately 16:34 UTC.

The bureau confirmed that nine people were on board, comprising three crew members and six passengers. No injuries were reported in the information provided by the agency.

The NSIB also disclosed that the separated door had been recovered and secured at its wreckage hangar as part of the ongoing investigation.

Badeh said investigators had begun examining the circumstances surrounding the incident to determine what led to the door separating during the flight.

The bureau added that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.

The occurrence has raised concerns about aircraft safety and the need for continued surveillance, effective maintenance and strict compliance with aviation safety procedures.

Although the incident is unusual, door-separation occurrences have previously been documented involving some older Bombardier Challenger aircraft.

One such incident occurred on May 23, 2012, when a Challenger 601-3R business jet, registered as N207JB and owned by Medcp Aviation, experienced a door separation while climbing through approximately 3,000 feet after departing Opa-locka Airport in Florida, United States.

The crew declared an emergency and diverted safely to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The detached door, along with its attached air stair, reportedly landed on a nearby golf course, narrowly missing residential high-rise buildings.

No injuries were reported in that incident. Investigators reportedly examined whether the door’s locking mechanism had been properly engaged, as well as the operation of the door-warning indicators.

The NSIB’s investigation into the Triton-operated Challenger 604 is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the latest occurrence and determine whether any technical or operational factors contributed to the incident.