The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into an aircraft incident involving a Challenger 604 business jet operated by Triton, after its door reportedly separated shortly after departure from Abuja. The aircraft, with registration number T7-SEI, was en route to Lagos when the crew declared a mayday following the incident at 3 nautical miles from departure, while passing 3,500 feet.
A Mayday call is the highest-level international radio distress signal used in aviation and maritime operations. The aircraft subsequently returned to Abuja and landed safely on Runway 22 at 4:34 p.m. UTC. The director-general and chief executive officer of the Bureau, Captain Alex Badeh Jr. said in a statement that said nine persons were on board the aircraft at the time of the occurrence, comprising three crew members and six passengers and no injuries were reported.
It added that the separated door had been recovered and secured at its wreckage hangar as investigators began examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. The NSIB said the investigation would seek to establish the events leading to the door separation. The Bureau assured that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.
