Preliminary findings from the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau have shed light on how a private jet came to lose its main door in flight over Abuja in October 2026.
The aircraft, a Challenger 604 registered as T7-SEI and operated by Triton Aviation, was flying DWC052 from Abuja to Lagos when the incident occurred.
According to the bureau’s report released on Thursday, the problem became apparent shortly after departure as the jet climbed.
The pilot monitoring the flight observed the cabin altitude rising at an unusual rate of roughly 4,000 feet per minute, a signal that prompted the captain to suspect the main door had not been properly secured.
At 17:19:07, the captain directed a cabin crew member to inspect the door.
As the crew member approached to check it, the door suddenly gave way and detached from the aircraft.
The captain immediately assumed control of flying the aircraft, while the First Officer took over monitoring duties.
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At 17:19:20, the crew transmitted a distress call, repeating MAYDAY three times, and informed Abuja Radar Control that the aircraft’s door was open.
The controller acknowledged at 17:19:51, confirming the MAYDAY and asking whether the aircraft could turn right.
The jet subsequently returned to Abuja and landed safely. The missing door was later recovered by farmers in an Abuja farmland.