Triton Aviation Aircraft Makes Emergency Landing After Losing Door in Abuja

An emergency situation unfolded on Thursday afternoon when a CL60 aircraft operated by Triton Aviation lost a door shortly after taking off from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja. The incident, which occurred around 4:20 p.m. UTC, prompted the flight crew to declare a Mayday and return to the airport for an emergency landing.

The aircraft, identified by registration number T7-SEI and flight identification DWC052, was en route to Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos when the door detached approximately three nautical miles from the airport, while climbing through an altitude of 3,000 feet. The crew immediately communicated the emergency to air traffic control, which activated protocols to ensure a safe return.

As part of the emergency response, the airport's fire watch room and medical teams were placed on standby, while emergency personnel were positioned at designated locations to assist upon the aircraft's return. The crew maintained communication with the control tower, inquiring about the status of the door, but the duty air traffic controller was unable to confirm its condition visually due to the aircraft's altitude and position.

The aircraft successfully landed back at NAIA at approximately 4:34 p.m. UTC, just 14 minutes after the Mayday call was issued. Upon landing, it was confirmed that the door was indeed missing from the fuselage, highlighting the seriousness of the incident. The aircraft was subsequently taxied to the international apron extension, where it was parked safely with the help of ground personnel.

Remarkably, the missing door was later discovered by local farmers who found it on their land. A video circulating on social media shows the farmers discussing the door, which they reported fell from an aircraft as they were returning from their fields. The identity of the farmers and the exact location of the door's recovery have not been disclosed.

As of the time of reporting, the number of passengers aboard the aircraft remains unconfirmed, and attempts to reach Triton Aviation for comments were unsuccessful. The incident has drawn the attention of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), whose Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, acknowledged the occurrence but stated that further comments would be deferred to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

The NSIB has classified the incident as a serious occurrence and has dispatched investigators to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation. They are expected to release an official statement detailing their findings in due course.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent safety protocols in aviation, as well as the need for continued vigilance in ensuring the integrity of aircraft systems. The swift response from the flight crew and air traffic control undoubtedly played a crucial role in averting a potential disaster.