NSIB: T7-SEI Door Detachment Report Details Mid-Air Incident

• A private jet, flight DWC052 (T7-SEI), experienced a door detachment mid-air in October after a crew member attempted to re-check its closure.
• The incident occurred after the pilot observed a rapid increase in cabin altitude and suspected a pressurization problem.
• The door opened suddenly as the cabin crew member approached it for a closer inspection, following the pilot's instruction.
• The flight crew declared a MAYDAY emergency and successfully executed an air return, landing back at Abuja airport.
• The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) released a preliminary report detailing these events.

The report confirms that the aircraft's door detached mid-air in October, an event triggered when a crew member attempted to re-verify its closure at the pilot's instruction.

A preliminary report from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has detailed a critical aviation safety incident involving a private jet, registration number T7-SEI, operating as flight DWC052. The report confirms that the aircraft's door detached mid-air in October, an event triggered when a crew member attempted to re-verify its closure at the pilot's instruction. The flight, which originated in Abuja and was en route to Lagos, was forced to declare an emergency and execute an air return, ultimately landing safely back at Abuja airport.

Initial indications of trouble emerged during the aircraft's ascent. The Pilot Monitoring observed an unusually rapid increase in cabin altitude, reaching approximately 4,000 feet per minute. This prompted the captain to suspect a pressurization issue and instruct a reduction in the aircraft's climb rate. The captain's concern about a potentially unlatched door led to the instruction for the cabin crew to conduct a double-check, specifically noting the abnormally high cabin altitude increase at 17:19:07.

The cabin crew member initially assessed the Passenger-crew Door from her seated position, reporting that it appeared properly closed with the green indicator band aligned. However, the pilot remained unconvinced by this initial visual check and requested a more thorough inspection, asking her to stand up and examine it more closely. As the crew member approached the door for this closer inspection, it suddenly opened and detached from the aircraft.

Immediately following the door's detachment, the captain assumed full control of the aircraft, while the First Officer took over the duties of Pilot Monitoring. The separated door was later recovered by local farmers from a field within the Abuja vicinity, underscoring the severity of the incident.

The flight crew promptly alerted air traffic control to the unfolding emergency. At 17:19:20, flight DWC052 transmitted the international distress call, "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY," over the radio, simultaneously informing Abuja Radar Control that the aircraft's door was open. Abuja Radar Control acknowledged the emergency at 17:19:51, confirming receipt of the MAYDAY call and the open door report, and inquired if the aircraft was capable of turning right.

By 17:20:20, the flight crew confirmed their ability to execute a right turn and requested a specific heading and altitude. Radar Control subsequently approved a northbound heading, which the pilot acknowledged. The pilot then sought clearance for an approach, contacting Abuja Radar Control at 17:25:35. Two seconds later, the controller confirmed the aircraft's position nine nautical miles north of the airfield at POKMO and granted clearance for an Instrument Landing System approach, instructing the crew to report when established on the approach.

This NSIB T7-SEI door detachment report provides crucial initial insights into the private jet door incident in Nigeria. The preliminary findings highlight a sequence of events where a pilot's suspicion of a pressurization issue, followed by a directive for a cabin crew member to physically inspect a door, directly preceded its sudden detachment. This aviation safety report Nigeria details the crew's immediate and effective response to a highly dangerous situation, culminating in a successful DWC052 emergency landing Abuja.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau's ongoing investigation will likely delve deeper into the mechanical integrity of the door, maintenance records, and crew training protocols to determine the root causes of this significant aircraft door opened mid-air Nigeria event. The findings will be critical for informing future aviation safety standards and preventing similar occurrences.

This NSIB preliminary report details a critical aviation safety incident, potentially leading to regulatory actions, liability claims against the airline or maintenance providers, and a review of crew training and pre-flight safety protocols. Lawyers should monitor the final report for findings that could establish negligence or systemic failures, impacting aviation law and insurance practices.

Source: Original reporting via The PUNCH