An air crash was averted on Thursday after a CL60 aircraft operated by Triton Aviation lost a door shortly after take-off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, forcing the crew to declare a “Mayday” emergency.

Report says the aircraft, with registration number T7-SEI and flight identification DWC052, was scheduled to fly from Abuja to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, when the incident occurred at about 4:20 p.m. UTC.

According to the report, an incident report obtained ⁶6 indicated that the aircraft had taken off from Runway 22 at 4:17 p.m. UTC and was about three nautical miles from the airport, climbing through 3,000 feet, when the crew declared an emergency.

According to the report, the crew informed air traffic controllers that a door had opened in flight, prompting the approach radar controller to direct the aircraft back to Abuja for an emergency landing.

Following the distress call, the airport’s fire watch room and medical team were alerted and instructed to remain on standby.

Fire and emergency personnel were also directed to designated positions at A4 and A5 in preparation for the aircraft’s return.

The report stated: “At about 4:29 p.m. UTC, while in contact with the Abuja control tower, the crew asked whether air traffic controllers could confirm if the door was open.

“The duty air traffic controller attempted to observe the aircraft using binoculars, but could not establish the door’s condition because of the aircraft’s position. The crew was subsequently informed that the controller could not confirm the situation visually.

“The aircraft landed safely on Runway 22 at approximately 4:34 p.m. UTC, 14 minutes after the Mayday call.”

The report added that after the aircraft landed, the duty controller observed that the door was missing from the fuselage, confirming the seriousness of the incident.

The aircraft was subsequently taxied to the international apron extension, where it was parked with the assistance of a marshaller.

At about 4:40 p.m. UTC, the crew reported that the marshaller was in sight before the aircraft was positioned in its parking area.

Meanwhile, a viral video showed the missing aircraft door was reportedly recovered by farmers in a farmland within Abuja.

In the video, a male voice, whose identity could not be established as of the time of filing this report, said the farmers found the door while returning from their farm.

“This is what we found as we were returning from our farm. It fell from a plane, but we don’t know much about its identity. As I am sending it to you, sir, just check it,” the voice said.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, confirmed the incident but said the agency could not comment on it.

He said the incident fell under the purview of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

The NSIB also confirmed the serious incident.

A source at the bureau said its management had deployed investigators to the scene to conduct further investigations, adding that an official statement would be issued soon, the report said.

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez apologised on Thursday for publicly criticising the club’s board for a lack of investment in the transfer market following their defeat by Atletico Madrid.

The English giants lost 2-0 to Atletico in Spain on Tuesday in the Champions League. They are also off to their worst start to a Premier League season for 40 years.

Martinez took aim at technical director Jason Wilcox, saying he “100 percent” expected more investment in the squad during the transfer window after United finished third in the Premier League last season to return to Europe’s top competition.

United signed three midfielders — Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos — for around £150 million ($198 million), but their spending fell far short of some of their Premier League rivals.

In a social media post earlier Thursday, Martinez said he had spoken “out of anger and frustration at not getting the result we all wanted”, but stopped short of apologising.

But having faced criticism for piling pressure on under-fire manager Michael Carrick following United’s poor start to the season, Martinez met with club officials.

Afterwards, Martinez issued a fresh statement saying: “Today (Thursday) I met with the club’s leadership and the manager.

“It was a very positive conversation, where we were able to exchange views and speak openly about what happened after Tuesday’s game.

“Everyone knows that I am a passionate person and that I live football with great intensity.

“The frustration of the defeat led me to express how I felt at a time and place that perhaps were not the right ones, and for that I want to apologise.”

Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has provided an update on her condition after sustaining an ankle injury during Nigeria’s home clash against Comoros in the 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers.

Ajibade was forced off in the 23rd minute of the encounter following a collision with an opponent, with Folashade Ijamilusi coming on as her replacement.

Reports have suggested that the Paris Saint-Germain forward could undergo surgery, potentially ruling her out of action for an extended period.

However, the 26-year-old clarified that medical scans and consultations are still ongoing, with further updates expected in due course.

In a message on X, Ajibade expressed gratitude to her teammates and supporters, and also addressed concerns surrounding her injury.

“Another international break has come to an end, and I’m grateful,” she wrote.

“It is an honour to lead this group of women. I am proud of how our team began its road to the Olympics, and of the unity, discipline and fight each player brought to the national team.

“I also want to address the incident that happened to me during the second leg against Comoros. Scans and medical consultations are ongoing, and more updates will be shared when available.

“At the moment, I’m doing okay and my spirits are high.

“To everyone who reached out with messages, prayers and kind words, thank you from the bottom of my heart. To my teammates, family, technical and medical staff, and our fans, I felt every bit of your love and support.

“For now, my focus is on recovery and returning stronger for club and country.”

Ajibade’s update offers some reassurance to fans, although the full extent of the injury and the timeline for her return remain unclear pending the outcome of further medical assessments.