The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has identified a combination of operational and airport-safety factors surrounding the July 23, 2026 runway overrun involving an Enugu Air Embraer ERJ 170-100LR at Oba Akenzua II Airport, Benin, Edo state.

The preliminary report said the aircraft with registration number 5N-ENR, touched down about 1,641.5 metres from the threshold of Runway 05, leaving approximately 758.5 metres of the 2,400-metre runway available before the aircraft eventually ran beyond the runway end.

The report issued on Friday explained that the aircraft operating scheduled passenger flight ENU4264 from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to Benin at about 14:55 local time.

There were 63 passengers and five crew members on board.

It said all 68 occupants survived and were evacuated without injury after the aircraft overran the runway and entered the unpaved area beyond it.

The report further said the aircraft struck approach-lighting installations and two fixed concrete structures associated with a decommissioned localizer installation.

The report’s findings showed that the landing took place in challenging conditions.

It said the runway was wet, while flight-recorder data indicated a tailwind of approximately 12 knots at the runway threshold and 6.4 knots at touchdown.

The report said the crew had also stated during the approach briefing that the aircraft’s autobrake was not working and that manual braking would be used.

“Flight-recorder data showed the aircraft touching down at about 138.2 knots groundspeed, after which its speed decreased as brake pressure increased and the ground spoilers deployed,” it said.

The NSIB said air traffic control had informed the crew that the runway was wet. However, the communication did not include a Runway Condition Report or Runway Condition Code.

The bureau said the issue would be examined further as part of the ongoing investigation.

“Weather and airport infrastructure also feature prominently in the preliminary findings.

“The weather-information display equipment in the Benin control tower was reportedly unserviceable at the time of the accident. In addition, an incomplete building obstructed the tower’s line of sight towards the end of Runway 05.

“The bureau also noted that two fixed concrete structures belonging to a decommissioned localizer installation remained beyond the runway. The aircraft struck the structures after leaving the paved runway.

“The collision caused substantial damage to the aircraft, including separation of landing-gear assemblies, rupture of the horizontal stabilizer and damage to the fuselage.

“Both engines also contacted the ground. Despite the severity of the damage, the fuselage remained intact and there was no post-impact fire.

“The preliminary report further records that air traffic control had advised the crew that the Runway 05 approach path appeared cloudy while the Runway 23 approach appeared better. The crew nevertheless continued with the Runway 05 approach.

“NSIB said crew decision-making and the applicable operational procedures would be examined as the investigation progresses,” it said.

The bureau issued four immediate safety recommendations, numbered A-2026-039 to A-2026-042, to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.

The recommendations addressed issues including the runway-end environment, unrestricted visibility from the control tower and the availability of meteorological information.

NSIB stressed that the report is preliminary and that the information remains subject to further review and technical analysis.

The bureau said the final report would contain its conclusions and any additional safety recommendations arising from the completed investigation.

It said the investigation was being conducted in accordance with Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, whose objective is the prevention of future accidents and incidents rather than the apportionment of blame or liability.

The report further said the July accident occurred only months after Enugu Air received its Air Operator Certificate on March 10, 2026. NSIB said the investigation would also examine issues including crew training and experience, operational decision-making and the airline’s procedures.

It said emerging picture from the preliminary findings is therefore not of a single cause, but of several circumstances converging during the landing: a wet runway, tailwind, manual braking, a touchdown deep into the runway and gaps in the availability and communication of runway-condition information.