Autobrake failure contributed to Enugu Air runway excursion, says NSIB

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has identified an inoperative autobrake system as one of the factors that contributed to the runway excursion involving an Enugu Air aircraft at Benin Airport.

The NSIB revealed this in a recent statement on its preliminary findings into the incident, which occurred on July 23 when Enugu Air Flight 4264, an Embraer E170 operating from Lagos to Benin, ran beyond Runway 05 while landing at the airport.

According to the bureau, the aircraft touched down about 1,641 metres beyond the runway threshold at a speed of approximately 138 knots. The crew was also dealing with moderate rainfall, poor visibility and a tailwind.

With the autobrake system unavailable, the pilots relied on manual braking, ground spoilers and thrust reversers to slow the aircraft. However, the aircraft could not stop within the remaining runway distance.

The aircraft subsequently veered off the runway, hitting seven approach lights and two concrete structures. The impact caused the landing gear to collapse and left the aircraft substantially damaged. All 68 people on board survived the incident without sustaining injuries.

The NSIB said its investigators were at Oba Akenzua II Airport, Benin, when the incident occurred and responded immediately. It said the preliminary investigation involved witness accounts, flight recorder data, air traffic control transcripts and an initial examination of the aircraft.

“The content of this preliminary report may still change and does not necessarily bind the conclusions published in the investigation’s final report. The sole objective of this investigation is the prevention of accidents and incidents. It is not the purpose of the investigation to apportion blame or liability,” the bureau said.

The NSIB stressed that the investigation was still ongoing and that no final cause had been established, adding that the preliminary findings could change as more evidence becomes available.