Enugu Air Jet Written Off, Beyond Repair After Benin Airport Runway Incident -

An Enugu Air passenger jet has been declared a total loss following the runway excursion it suffered while landing at Benin Airport, bringing the aircraft’s years of commercial service to an abrupt end.

The Embraer ERJ-170LR veered off the runway on July 23 during heavy rainfall after landing at the airport. Although the aircraft sustained extensive structural damage, all passengers and crew members evacuated safely, with no injuries or fatalities reported.

Subsequent assessments found that the damage was too severe to justify repairs. Aviation records have since classified the aircraft as “written off,” indicating it has been permanently withdrawn from commercial service because restoration is no longer economically or technically feasible.

The aircraft had been in operation for more than 17 years, serving different airlines before joining Enugu Air’s fleet after its registration in Nigeria. It had resumed commercial operations following a period in storage.

Authorities said the runway excursion caused significant damage to the aircraft’s landing gear and lower structure, making it unsuitable for future operations. Aircraft in such condition are typically dismantled for reusable components or scrapped.

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The incident occurred during adverse weather conditions, with heavy rainfall affecting runway operations. Aviation officials clarified that the aircraft landed safely before leaving the runway and stressed that it was not a crash.

Following the incident, Enugu Air adjusted parts of its flight schedule while the affected aircraft was secured. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the runway excursion.

The airline has pledged to cooperate fully with investigators, while aviation authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining safety standards across the country’s aviation sector.