Enugu Air plane carrying 68 overruns runway in Nigeria

An Enugu Air passenger plane carrying 68 passengers and crew members overran a runway while landing at Benin Airport in southern Nigeria, leaving the aircraft damaged in a grassy area. No casualties were reported.

The incident happened at about 3:10 p.m. on Thursday when Flight 4264, an Embraer E170 traveling from Lagos to Benin, overran the end of the runway. There were 63 passengers and five crew members on board.

Enugu Air said all passengers and crew safely disembarked after the aircraft came to a stop beyond the runway. Emergency personnel responded to the area and the aircraft was secured.

Footage taken by passengers showed people walking away from the plane through a wet field as rain fell. Images from the scene showed the aircraft resting on its underside with part of its landing gear separated nearby.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) launched an investigation. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and airport authorities were also informed.

Investigators are preserving evidence, interviewing the flight crew and other personnel, examining the aircraft and assessing conditions on the runway. They will also review operational and technical information to determine what caused the plane to overrun the runway and whether other factors contributed.

Enugu Air said it was cooperating with authorities and warned that the incident could result in temporary changes to some of its flight schedules.