The crew of an Enugu Air aircraft that overran the runway at Oba Akenzua II Airport, Benin, on July 23, continued their approach to Runway 05 despite being advised by Air Traffic Control (ATC) that the approach path to Runway 23 appeared better.
The aircraft also landed with its autobrake system unavailable, forcing the crew to rely on manual braking, while a tailwind component was recorded during the final approach and landing.
According to findings contained in the preliminary report released by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) on the incident, ATC had advised the crew that the approach path to Runway 23 appeared better than that to Runway 05, but the crew acknowledged the information and continued with the RNAV approach to Runway 05.
The report stated that weather conditions deteriorated during the aircraft’s arrival, with moderate rain and reduced visibility reported before landing.
ATC also advised the crew during the landing clearance that the runway surface was wet. However, the communication did not include a Runway Condition Report or Runway Condition Code (RCR/RWYCC).
The report further revealed that during the approach briefing, the crew stated that the autobrake system was not working and that manual braking would be used for landing.
Flight Data Recorder (FDR) data subsequently recorded a tailwind component during the final approach and landing.
The aircraft crossed the threshold of Runway 05 at a recorded radio altitude of about 93.5 feet and landed approximately 1,641.5 metres from the runway threshold.
Following touchdown, FDR information showed increased brake pressure and ground-spoiler activation, while post-occurrence examination of the wreckage found the thrust-reverser assemblies in a deployed condition.
The aircraft subsequently overran the end of Runway 05 and entered the unpaved area beyond the runway, where it struck approach-lighting installations and two fixed concrete structures associated with a decommissioned localizer installation.
The impact caused the landing-gear assemblies to break and separate from the aircraft, with field evidence indicating that the nose landing gear separated first, followed by the right main landing gear and then the left main landing gear.
The aircraft, an Embraer ERJ 170-100LR with registration 5N-ENR, was operating scheduled passenger flight ENU4264 from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to Benin.
There were 63 passengers and five crew members on board, bringing the total number of occupants to 68. All occupants evacuated without injury and there was no post-impact fire.
The preliminary findings established that the flight crew were licensed and qualified to conduct the flight, while the aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness.
The First Officer was the Pilot Flying, while the Captain was the Pilot Monitoring. The take-off, climb, cruise and descent phases of the flight were also reported to have been normal.
The NSIB said the investigation remains ongoing, with further examination of the wreckage, landing-gear collapse and separation mechanisms, ground marks, impact sequence and relevant runway-end and aerodrome infrastructure still to be conducted.
The Bureau will also assess the runway condition, Global Reporting Format (GRF) and Runway Condition Report implementation, as well as the collection, dissemination and use of meteorological and runway-condition information.
It will further review the flight crew’s training, experience, operational decision-making and applicable Enugu Air procedures.
The Bureau cautioned that the preliminary findings are subject to further review and analysis and that the final report will present its conclusions and any additional safety recommendations arising from the completed investigation.
The NSIB stressed that, in accordance with Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the sole objective of the investigation is the prevention of accidents and incidents and not the apportionment of blame or liability.
