There was panic at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Thursday after a private jet lost its door shortly after takeoff and was forced to return for an emergency landing.
The aircraft, a CL60 business jet with registration number T7-SEI, is operated by Triton Aviation. It was operating flight DWC052 from Abuja to Lagos when the incident happened.
According to an incident report dated October 15, 2026, the jet departed Abuja via Runway 22 at about 4:17 p.m. UTC, en route to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
Barely three nautical miles from the airport, while climbing through 3,000 feet, the crew reported an open-door indication and declared a MAYDAY emergency. The approach radar controller immediately directed the aircraft back to Abuja.
Following the distress call, the airport’s fire watch room and medical team were placed on standby at 4:22 p.m. UTC. Fire and rescue teams were also positioned at access points A4 and A5 as a precaution.
At about 4:29 p.m. UTC, the crew contacted Abuja Tower to ask if controllers on ground could visually confirm if the door was open. The duty controller tried to check with binoculars but could not establish its condition due to the aircraft’s position and distance.
The jet landed safely back on Runway 22 at about 4:34 p.m. UTC, roughly 14 minutes after the emergency was declared.
It was after landing that the duty controller confirmed the door was completely missing from the fuselage. The aircraft was then taxied to the international apron extension and parked with marshaller assistance at about 4:40 p.m. UTC.
No injury was reported. A video later circulating online showed the detached door allegedly recovered by farmers on a farmland within the Abuja area. The incident is expected to be investigated by relevant aviation authorities.
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