The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has opened an investigation into a serious incident involving a Challenger 604 private jet whose door reportedly separated from the aircraft shortly after departure from Abuja.
The aircraft, registered T7-SEI and operated by Triton, had taken off for Lagos at 16:12 UTC when the crew declared an emergency. The reported separation occurred approximately three nautical miles from the airport as the jet passed 3,500 feet.
The aircraft returned to Abuja and landed safely on Runway 22 at 16:34 UTC. Nine people were on board, comprising three crew members and six passengers, according to the bureau’s account. No injuries were reported in the supplied statement.
NSIB Director-General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. said the detached door had been recovered and placed in the bureau’s wreckage hangar for examination. Investigators will seek to determine the circumstances that led to the event, including any relevant operational, maintenance or mechanical factors; no cause has yet been established.
An account of air traffic communications said Abuja Tower contacted the flight, identified as DWC052, at 16:29 UTC. The crew asked whether the controller could see that the door was missing. An initial attempt to observe the aircraft with binoculars was inconclusive because of its position.
Following the safe landing, the duty controller was reportedly able to see the missing door as the aircraft taxied to the international apron extension. The crew subsequently reported the marshaller in sight and proceeded to its parking position.
The bureau says it will provide further information as the inquiry progresses. Until its findings are released, any explanation of why the door separated would be speculative.
