Ondo military aircraft crash: What we know about the NAF plane and 32 people aboard
A Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday, October 5, killing all 32 people aboard.
The aircraft, an ATR-42 operated by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), was travelling from Benin in Edo State to Lagos when it crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda.
President Bola Tinubu later confirmed the deaths of the 25 passengers and seven crew members aboard the aircraft and directed the NAF to investigate the cause of the crash.
Here is what is known about the aircraft, its journey and the people aboard.
The aircraft was an ATR-42
The aircraft involved in the crash was an ATR-42, a twin-engine turboprop aircraft operated by the Nigerian Air Force.
The NAF said the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
The ATR-42 is a civilian-origin aircraft that has also been adapted for military roles, including surveillance, reconnaissance and transport.
The Nigerian Air Force operates ATR-42 aircraft for maritime patrol and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance duties. Available aviation information indicates that the service has two ATR 42-500MP aircraft, registered as NAF 930 and NAF 931.
The aircraft was heading from Benin to Lagos
The aircraft was on a flight from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos when the incident occurred.
According to Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, air traffic controllers lost contact with the military aircraft at about 9:13 a.m. on Monday.
Attempts to establish communication with the aircraft by radio were unsuccessful.
The aircraft was subsequently confirmed to have crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, with its wreckage later located at the scene.
The Nigerian Air Force described the journey as a routine mission and said search-and-rescue operations were activated following the crash.
The crash happened in Igbokoda
The crash occurred in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Igbokoda is a coastal community in Ondo State and has a Nigerian Navy presence.
Reports from the scene said the aircraft went down in a swampy area close to the naval base.
The location presented an additional challenge for emergency responders as authorities mobilised to the crash site.
The Ondo State Government also activated emergency response efforts following the incident.
32 people were aboard the aircraft
Preliminary information released by the Minister of Aviation showed that 32 people were aboard the aircraft.
They comprised 25 passengers and seven crew members.
The figure made the incident one of the most significant military aviation tragedies involving a Nigerian aircraft in recent years.
Initial reports focused on the search-and-rescue operation because authorities had not immediately established the condition of everyone aboard.
Later, President Tinubu confirmed the deaths of all 32 people and extended condolences to their families and the Nigerian Air Force.
What caused the crash?
The cause of the crash has not been established.
Authorities had initially focused on locating the aircraft and rescuing those aboard after air traffic controllers lost contact with it.
After the deaths were confirmed, Tinubu directed the Nigerian Air Force to begin a thorough investigation into what caused the accident.
The President said the investigation should also help prevent similar incidents in the future.
This means reports about the possible cause of the crash should be treated cautiously until investigators release their findings.
At this stage, there has been no official conclusion that the crash was caused by mechanical failure, weather, pilot error or any other specific factor.
The aircraft was used for military operations
The ATR-42 operated by the Nigerian Air Force is not simply a conventional passenger aircraft.
The service has used the platform for maritime patrol and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, as well as for transporting personnel and equipment.
That makes the aircraft useful to the military because of its ability to cover large areas and support surveillance activities.
However, the NAF has described the particular journey involved in Monday’s crash as a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
The service has not disclosed further operational details about the mission.
Tinubu orders investigation
Following the crash, Tinubu directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation.
The President also commended the military’s immediate response and the first responders involved in the operation.
He described the incident as a painful moment for the Armed Forces and offered condolences to the families of the deceased, the Chief of the Air Staff and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force.
The investigation is expected to provide more information about what happened between the aircraft’s departure from Benin, the loss of communication at about 9:13 a.m. and the eventual crash in Igbokoda.
Until investigators release their findings, several important questions remain unanswered, including what caused the aircraft to go down and whether any technical or operational issues preceded the crash.
For now, what is confirmed is that an NAF ATR-42 travelling from Benin to Lagos crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, with 25 passengers and seven crew members aboard.
All 32 people died in the crash, according to the Presidency, while a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy has been ordered.