A team of aviation investigators on Sunday arrived Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, for an on-the-spot assessment and determine the cause of the Diamond training aircraft operated by the Aviation Training School that crash-landed last Friday in Ilorin.
The accident involved two occupants — pilot and instructor — who survived and are receiving medical care in one of the private hospitals in Ilorin.
The state government has also expressed profound relief following the emergency landing of a training aircraft of the International Aviation College, Ilorin.
A statement issued by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education in Kwara State, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, however
commended the swift and professional response of the college authorities and medical personnel, emphasizing the importance of emergency preparedness and strict adherence to safety protocols in aviation training institutions.
Also, the Rector of the International Aviation College, Ilorin, Captain Yakubu Okatahi, has provided additional details about the incident.
He said: “Our instructor was on a routine training flight when, unfortunately, the aircraft had an accident during landing.
“We thank God that there were no fatalities. Both the pilot and instructor were promptly evacuated to the hospital last night (Friday).”
However, before the arrival of the investigators on Sunday in Ilorin, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) conducted an on-site-investigation.
The Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance of NSIB, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, announced that an investigation had been launched to determine the cause of the crash that occurred at 17:28 during a simulated instrument approach on Runway 05 at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin.
As at the time of this report, one of the two victims in the accident has undergone an MRI scan, while both are reported to be conscious and in stable condition.
A statement by Oladeji said the NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh, visited the crash site, adding that: “Crucial flight data had already been recovered and was being processed”.
“Our investigators are on the ground and have begun work in earnest. The damaged aircraft is positioned on the left side of the runway, and recovery operations are nearly complete.
“Four of our specialists will remain at the site to complete critical measurements before returning to Abuja,” the statement quoted Badeh as saying.
He said that the NSIB has recovered the aircraft’s data card now undergoing analysis at the Bureau’s transport safety laboratory, adding that the results will contribute to the preliminary report, expected within 30 days.
“Our job is to determine what happened, to whom it happened, how it happened, and most importantly, how to prevent it from happening again,” he added.
Providing an update on the crew involved in the crash, Badeh confirmed that both individuals survived and are receiving medical treatment.
According to him, “They are conscious, coherent, and in stable condition. One has undergone an MRI scan, and both are receiving appropriate medical care.”
While the investigation continues, the NSIB assured the public that the Nigerian airspace remains secure, as further updates will be made available as the investigation goes on.
