A major aviation scare was averted in Nigeria on Thursday after the door of a private jet detached mid-air shortly after takeoff from Abuja.
The incident involved a Challenger 604 aircraft operated by Triton Aviation, which was en route from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to Lagos.
According to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the aircraft was climbing through 3,500 feet, about three nautical miles from the airport, when the crew discovered that a door had separated from the fuselage.
The pilot immediately declared a Mayday emergency, prompting airport authorities to mobilize emergency response teams on the ground.
The aircraft, which had nine people on board, made a successful emergency return and landed safely within 14 minutes of declaring the distress call. All passengers and crew members escaped without any injuries.
Confirming the incident, the NSIB stated that the detached door was later found on a farm by a local resident and has been retrieved for examination.
The Bureau has launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the door separation and to prevent future occurrences.
Aviation experts have described the incident as extremely rare and potentially catastrophic, praising the professionalism of the flight crew for handling the emergency.
This incident comes at a time when Nigeria's aviation sector is under increased scrutiny for safety compliance.
Further details are expected as investigation continues.
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