The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an on-site investigation into the crash-landing of a Diamond training aircraft operated by the Aviation Training School at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin.
The incident occurred at approximately 17:28 local time on Friday, May 23, during a simulated instrument approach to Runway 05. The aircraft came to rest on the left side of the runway.
Director General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., led a team of investigators to the crash site on Saturday, where he confirmed the recovery of the aircraft’s data card. According to a statement by Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the Bureau, analysis of the flight data is already underway at the NSIB’s transport safety laboratory.
“Our investigators are on ground and have commenced their work in earnest,” Captain Badeh said. “The damaged aircraft has been located, and recovery operations are nearly complete. Four of our technical specialists will remain at the site to complete critical measurements before returning to Abuja.”
He added that a preliminary report on the incident would be released within 30 days.
Emphasising the Bureau’s mandate, Captain Badeh said the investigation aims not just to determine the cause of the incident but also to provide actionable safety recommendations.
“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 said.
He also confirmed that the two occupants of the aircraft survived the crash. Both individuals are conscious and in stable condition. One has undergone an MRI scan as a precautionary measure, and both are receiving appropriate medical attention.
Captain Badeh assured the public that Nigeria’s airspace remains safe and that the Bureau would provide further updates as the investigation progresses.
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