The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released a preliminary report detailing how the passenger-crew door of a private jet detached mid-air in October after a cabin crew member was instructed to recheck it.
The Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft, registration T7-SEI and flight DWC052, operated by Triton Aviation, was on a non-scheduled flight from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on 15 October 2026. It carried nine people: two flight crew, one cabin crew member, and six passengers.
During the initial climb at about 17:19 local time, the pilot monitoring noticed an unusually rapid rise in cabin altitude of around 4,000 feet per minute. Suspecting a pressurisation issue, the captain ordered a reduction in the climb rate and instructed the cabin crew to double-check the main cabin door.
The cabin crew member first checked from her seat and reported that the door appeared properly closed, with the green indicator band aligned. The captain, not fully satisfied, directed her to stand and take a closer look. As she approached the passenger-crew door for the closer inspection, it suddenly opened and separated from the aircraft.
The captain immediately took control while the first officer assumed monitoring duties. At 17:19:20, the crew declared an emergency, transmitting “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY” and informing Abuja Radar Control that the door was open. The aircraft was cleared to return and landed safely on Runway 22 at approximately 17:34 local time—about 15 minutes after the anomaly was detected.All nine occupants disembarked without injury, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The detached door was later recovered from a cornfield in Gui Village, Abuja Municipal Area Council, roughly five miles southwest of the airport.The NSIB said the preliminary report contains the factual information established so far and initial safety recommendations. A full final report with analysis, conclusions and further recommendations will follow once the investigation is complete.
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