Jet linked to oil mogul Kola Karim that lost door in Abuja had four mid-air failures in 2005

A private jet that lost its main cabin door shortly after departing Abuja on Thursday suffered four flight-control failures within four months in 2005, according to British aviation investigation records.

The Bombardier Challenger 604, registered T7-SEI, was built in September 2004 and previously operated under the registration VP-BJM.

According to a SaharaReporters investigation, the aircraft is now associated with Shoreline Energy International, founded by businessman Kola Karim.

Records published by the United Kingdom’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch show that the aircraft experienced stabiliser trim problems in July, August, September and November 2005.

The July incident prompted a diversion to Toulouse, France, while another malfunction in September forced a landing in Beirut, Lebanon.

In November, the aircraft developed a serious trim malfunction that pushed its nose downward despite corrective commands, forcing the pilots to divert to London Heathrow.

Investigators attributed the problem to moisture-related contamination within the horizontal stabiliser trim control unit. Corrective measures subsequently followed.

On October 15, 2026, the aircraft lost its main cabin door while departing Abuja for Lagos.

Its crew declared an emergency shortly after takeoff and returned safely to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

All nine occupants, comprising six passengers and three crew members, escaped injury.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau confirmed recovering the detached door and opening an investigation into the incident.

Although both events involved the same aircraft, investigators have established no connection between the flight-control failures two decades ago and Thursday’s door separation.

The bureau is examining the circumstances surrounding the latest incident, including any relevant mechanical, maintenance or operational factors.