By Anthony Nwizi
The runway excursion involving an Embraer E170 aircraft operated by Enugu Air at Benin Airport on Thursday, 23 July 2026, has generated widespread public reactions. While the incident understandably attracted attention, the response from some quarters has been deeply disappointing. Instead of expressing gratitude that all 63 passengers and five crew members survived, some Nigerians resorted to mockery, jokes and social media content aimed at ridiculing the airline.
Such reactions are not only insensitive but also dangerous. Mocking Enugu Air over this incident is akin to throwing stones into a crowded marketplace. You may not be standing in the marketplace, but you can never be certain that your relatives, friends or loved ones are not there. Misfortune does not recognise status, tribe, religion or geography. It can visit anyone without notice.
The greatest takeaway from the incident is that lives were preserved. What could have become a national tragedy ended without the loss of a single life. That alone calls for gratitude to God and appreciation for the professionalism of the flight crew and emergency responders who ensured the safe evacuation of everyone on board.
It is important to put the occurrence in its proper perspective. The aircraft did not crash. It experienced what aviation professionals describe as a runway excursion—an event in which an aircraft departs the runway surface after landing or during take-off. Reports indicate that the aircraft had landed successfully before overshooting the runway and coming to rest in the muddy area beyond it. While every aviation occurrence deserves a thorough investigation, accuracy in describing such events is essential to avoid unnecessary panic and misinformation.
Those who travel frequently by air understand that take-off and landing remain the most critical phases of any flight. Aviation experts often describe landing as a carefully controlled manoeuvre requiring exceptional precision, coordination and skill. Every successful landing is the product of rigorous training, adherence to procedures and the reliability of both the aircraft and its crew. The preservation of lives in this incident should therefore be viewed as a blessing rather than an opportunity for ridicule.
History reminds us that no airline, however reputable, is completely immune from operational incidents. Some of the world's most respected carriers have experienced runway excursions and other safety occurrences. The true measure of an airline is not whether incidents happen, but how effectively they are managed, investigated and translated into lessons that further strengthen aviation safety.
Having flown with Enugu Air, I have every reason to acknowledge the professionalism of its operations and the competence of its pilots. This is therefore not the time to hastily condemn an airline that is still building its reputation. Rather, we should allow the relevant aviation authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation, establish the facts and make recommendations that will further enhance operational safety.
Beyond the technical issues lies a more important question about our collective humanity. Why are we so quick to celebrate the misfortune of others? Why do we find humour in situations that could have plunged dozens of families into mourning?
As a people, we must cultivate empathy. We must learn to rejoice with those who rejoice and stand with those who face difficult moments. The preservation of human life should always outweigh the temptation to score political, regional or social media points.
The Enugu Air incident should remind us that life is fragile and that tragedy often gives no notice before it strikes. Instead of celebrating another person's moment of distress, let us be grateful that disaster was averted. Today it is Enugu Air; tomorrow, it could be any other airline, any other state, or even someone close to us.
Compassion, not mockery, is the hallmark of a civilised society. Let us choose empathy over ridicule, facts over sensationalism, and gratitude over cynicism. After all, misfortune has no permanent address.
Anthony Nwizi is the Director General of the Ebonyi State Broadcasting Corporation, EBBC Abakaliki and a Public Affairs analyst.
