Nigeria: Private Jet Loses Door Mid-Air, Makes Emergency Landing in Abuja

A private jet operated by Triton Aviation lost a door mid-air, forcing the crew to declare an emergency shortly after takeoff from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The aircraft, a CL60 with registration number T7-SEI and flight identification DWC052, was en route to Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, when the incident occurred at about 4:20 p.m.

According to an incident report, the crew informed air traffic control that a door had opened during the flight. The approach radar controller subsequently directed the aircraft to return to Abuja, where it made an emergency landing.

A social media influencer, @ChuksEricE, shared a video of the aircraft and the detached door, which was reportedly found on a local farm where it fell.

The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of aviation safety in Nigeria, raising fresh questions about the maintenance and operational integrity of private charter aircraft.

A door detachment mid-flight poses a severe safety risk, including the potential for rapid cabin decompression and structural failure.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident or the condition of the passengers and crew on board.

It could not be immediately verified if any injuries were sustained during the emergency landing, but the successful return of the aircraft to Abuja suggests the crew managed the situation without catastrophic consequences.

Authorities are expected to launch an investigation into how the door detached and why it was not detected during pre-flight checks.