Nigerian inquiry details Embraer 170 runway overrun at Benin airport

Nigeria's Safety Investigation Bureau has released preliminary findings on a runway excursion involving an Enugu Air Embraer 170 at Benin airport on 23 July.

The bureau said the aircraft crossed the threshold of runway 05 at a height of about 93.5ft, well above the standard 50ft reference, and touched down roughly 1,641m beyond it. The runway's declared landing distance is 2,400m, leaving little margin.

Weather had worsened as the aircraft arrived. The crew requested the area navigation approach to runway 05 despite a tailwind and advice from the tower that conditions on the opposite runway, 23, looked more favorable. Air traffic control also warned that the runway surface was wet.

The first officer was flying. He had 863 flight hours on the type, against the captain's 86. He noted that the autobrake system was inoperative and that braking would be manual. Cockpit-voice recorder data cited by investigators show the approach continued after the crew reported visual contact with the runway.

The tailwind component at the threshold measured 12kt, according to the bureau. The jet touched down with 20-degree flap at a groundspeed of 138kt, and the captain called for maximum reverse thrust roughly three seconds later. With only 760m of runway remaining, the aircraft could not stop in time.

The recorder captured crew exclamations, a loud noise, and landing-gear warnings before the aircraft overran, coming to rest about 325m past the runway end. Its landing gear sheared off after striking two concrete remnants of a decommissioned localizer antenna. Both engines struck the ground, and the jet lost its right engine cowl, with additional damage to the ailerons.

The investigation is ongoing.