A passenger aboard the Enugu Air flight that veered off the runway at Benin Airport has described the incident as a near tragedy, saying passengers could have lost their lives if the aircraft had caught fire after landing.
The passenger, a former Edo State lawmaker who requested anonymity, criticised the airline's emergency response and said passengers have yet to receive any communication or apology from the airline following the incident.
According to him, the flight departed Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MM2), Lagos, at about 2:06 p.m. The pilot, identified as Captain Ladi, informed passengers that the aircraft would fly at 21,000 feet and arrive in Benin within approximately 35 minutes. He also warned of possible turbulence due to adverse weather conditions.
The passenger said the flight proceeded normally until it began its descent into Benin during heavy rainfall.
"The aircraft touched down in the rain but appeared unable to stop within the runway," he said. "It overshot the runway, skidded and eventually came to a stop after hitting a concrete barrier. One of the tyres was damaged in the process."
He praised the pilot's efforts but expressed disappointment with the cabin crew's handling of the situation.
"There was panic inside the aircraft after it stopped. Another passenger and I had to ask people to remain seated and stay calm because some passengers were already attempting to jump out. The cabin crew struggled to manage the situation," he said.
He added that passengers seated near the emergency exits appeared unsure of what to do during the evacuation.
According to him, only the rear exit door was opened for evacuation, while emergency responders had difficulty reaching the aircraft's location.
"When the plane came to a halt, firefighters could not immediately access where it stopped. If there had been a fire, the outcome could have been disastrous," he said.
He disclosed that injured passengers were transported using firefighters' vehicles and that he sustained a neck injury during the incident.
"The firefighters were some distance away and had to use their vehicles to evacuate injured passengers," he said.
The passenger also expressed concern that Enugu Air had not contacted him or other affected passengers after the incident despite having their contact details.
"I purchased my ticket online and communicated with the airline through email. I expected some form of apology or follow-up after the incident, but I have received nothing," he said.
He noted that some passengers who were not properly secured by their seat belts were thrown about inside the cabin during the landing.
Despite his criticism, he described Enugu Air as one of his preferred airlines because of its punctuality and commended the pilot's efforts in managing the situation.
The incident has renewed concerns about emergency preparedness and passenger safety procedures during aircraft evacuations.
