Abuja-Lagos Flight Declares Mayday After Aircraft Door Goes Missing Mid-air

A Triton Aviation CL60 aircraft was forced to return to Abuja shortly after take-off on Thursday after its crew reported an open door during flight, prompting an emergency landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The aircraft, registered as T7-SEI, departed Abuja for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 4:17 p.m.

A serious incident report indicated that the aircraft was about three nautical miles from Abuja airport and at 3,000 feet when the crew made a “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY” distress call at 4:20 p.m.

Air traffic control subsequently redirected the aircraft to Abuja, instructing the crew to land on Runway 22. Emergency response personnel, including the airport fire watch team and medical staff, were also placed on standby.

The report provided a detailed account of the incident:

“At 1620 UTC, APP-RADAR informed Tower DWCO52 a CL60 with registration marking T7SEI that departed Abuja at 1617 UTC runway 22 to DNMM at 3 nautical miles outbound, passing 3000ft made a MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY call.

DWC052 reported an open door in flight. Radar vectored the aircraft back to land using runway 22.

“16:22 UTC, Fire watch room and Medical team informed to be on standby. Information pertaining to the flight passed to the fire watch room. Fire watch asked to position at A4 and A5.

“At 16:29 UTC, Abuja Tower was in contact with DWC052, and the crew asked Tower if they could see their door opened.

“The Duty air traffic controller (DATCO) used the birocular to view the aircraft but was unable to view the door because of the position of the aircraft, and the crew was advised.

At 16:34 UTC, DWC052 landed safely on runway 22. On landing, the fuselage of the aircraft was clearly visible to the DATCO and the door was missing from the aircraft. DWC052 was taxied to the International apron extension. At 1640 UTC, DWC052 reported Marshalar insight and was parked by the marshaller.”

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed that the incident occurred and said investigators were already at the scene.

“Yes, it happened. The investigators are there. We will be releasing an official statement shortly,” the NSIB media team said.

The aircraft landed safely, and the report confirmed that its door was missing when it was inspected after landing. Further information is expected from the NSIB as the investigation progresses.

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