Private Jet Loses Door Mid-Flight in Nigeria

A Bombardier Challenger 600-series private jet operated by Triton Aviation lost its door shortly after takeoff in Abuja, Nigeria, on October 15. The aircraft, registered T7-SEI, was operating flight #DWC052 from Abuja to Lagos.

Shortly after departing Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 3,000 feet (914 meters) when the pilots reported that a door had opened and declared a MAYDAY emergency. Following instructions from air traffic control, the aircraft returned to Abuja and landed safely on Runway 22 approximately 14 minutes after the emergency call.

Post-landing inspections confirmed that the door had completely detached from the fuselage. The missing door was reportedly discovered on farmland near Abuja. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the incident, while the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) launched an investigation. The number of people on board has not yet been disclosed, and the cause of the door separation remains under investigation.