Private jet door opens mid-flight during crew inspection, NSIB report reveals

A private jet’s passenger-crew door flew open mid-air in October after a cabin crew member approached it for a closer inspection on the pilot’s instruction, according to a preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

The aircraft, registration T7-SEI and flight identification DWC052, was en route from Abuja to Lagos when the incident occurred. The crew declared an emergency and returned safely to Abuja airport. The detached door was later recovered by farmers in the Abuja area.

Trouble began during the initial climb. The Pilot Monitoring observed an unusually rapid rise in cabin altitude of about 4,000 feet per minute. Suspecting a pressurisation issue, the captain ordered a reduction in the rate of climb.

The crew then suspected the door might not be fully secured. At approximately 17:19:07, the captain instructed the cabin crew to double-check it, noting the abnormal cabin altitude increase.

The crew member first inspected the door from her seat and reported that it appeared closed, with the green indicator band aligned. Unsatisfied, the pilot asked her to stand and examine it more carefully.

As she approached the door, it suddenly opened. The captain immediately assumed control of the aircraft while the First Officer took over Pilot Monitoring duties.

At 17:19:20, the crew declared an emergency, transmitting the standard distress call: “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY.” They informed Abuja Radar Control that the door was open. Controllers acknowledged the emergency at 17:19:51 and directed the aircraft to turn right.

The crew confirmed they could comply and requested a heading and altitude. Radar Control cleared a northbound heading. At 17:25:35 the pilot sought permission to commence an approach. Controllers reported the aircraft was nine nautical miles north of the airfield at POKMO and cleared it for an Instrument Landing System approach, instructing the crew to report when established.

The NSIB continues its investigation into the incident.