KOLA KARIM: THE BILLIONAIRE OWNER OF THE JET THAT LOST A DOOR

Nigerian billionaire businessman Kola Karim has been identified as the owner of the private jet that lost a door mid-flight and made an emergency landing in Abuja on Thursday.

The Kola Karim jet lost door Abuja identification was made by SaharaReporters, which linked the aircraft to Shoreline Energy International, a company chaired by Karim.

WHO IS KOLA KARIM?

Kola Karim is the chairman of the board of directors of Shoreline Natural Resources Limited (SNRL) and its parent company, Shoreline.

Shoreline is an industrial group focused on infrastructure, energy and related investments in sub-Saharan Africa.

Karim is one of Nigeria’s most prominent businessmen, with interests spanning energy, infrastructure, and natural resources.

THE AIRCRAFT

Aircraft records identify T7-SEI as a Bombardier Challenger 604 private jet associated with Shoreline Energy International.

The records indicate that Shoreline Energy International acquired the aircraft in May 2024 .The aircraft is operated by Triton Aviation .

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THE INCIDENT

The aircraft, with registration number T7-SEI and flight identification DWC052, was travelling from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos when the incident occurred on Thursday.

According to an incident report, the crew informed air traffic control that a door had opened during the flight at about 4:20 p.m.

The approach radar controller subsequently directed the aircraft to return to Abuja, where it made an emergency landing .

THE PREVIOUS INCIDENT

ValidViewNetwork found that the aircraft had previously suffered a stabiliser trim failure in the United Kingdom on November 11, 2005.

The failure occurred at 3:22 p.m., approximately eight nautical miles west of the Midhurst VOR, a navigational aid in West Sussex, England.

However, the available information does not establish the precise cause of the 2005 incident, how it was resolved, or whether it resulted in injuries or damage.

WHY IT MATTERS

The identification of the aircraft’s owner adds a layer of public interest to an already serious aviation incident. The aircraft’s operational history, including the 2005 stabiliser trim failure, will be examined by investigators as they seek to determine what caused the door to detach.

For Karim, the incident raises questions about the maintenance and oversight of his private aviation assets.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the NSIB investigation is ongoing. Karim has not commented publicly on the incident.