A training aircraft of the International Aviation College, Ilorin, Kwara State crash-landed on Friday, a member of the management staff of the college told our correspondent yesterday.
He said two people who sustained injuries in the incident were recuperating at a medical facility.
He declined official comment, saying on condition of anonymity that only regulatory agencies such as the National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) were saddled with such responsibility.
Some staff members of the college also said the incident occurred around 4:00 pm on Friday at the Babatunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin during a simulated instrument approach on Runway 05.
“A simulated instrument approach, often referred to as simulated instrument flight, is a kind of flight where a pilot flies using only the aircraft’s instruments for navigation and control.
“In place of instrument meteorological conditions, the pilot wears a view-limiting device such as an IFR hood or goggles which restricts their view of the outside environment”, the source said.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) through a statement by the director of public affairs and family assistance, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, said investigation had commenced on the crash.
The aircraft was said to have veered off the runway and stopped on grass.
“Two occupants were on board. Both sustained serious injuries and were swiftly evacuated to a medical facility coordinated by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).”
In response, the NSIB Go-Team is preparing to depart from Abuja to Ilorin to conduct on-site investigations.
“The team will secure the site, collect physical evidence, interview witnesses, and retrieve operational data to establish the cause and contributing factors of the incident,” the NSIB said.
The director general of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh, said, “Our thoughts are with the injured, and we commend the swift medical and emergency response. Now, our focus is on understanding exactly what went wrong. Every investigation is an opportunity to improve safety. We are deploying our team to Ilorin to ensure that no detail is overlooked.”
The bureau urged the public to avoid speculation and await verified updates from the authorities, as the NSIB remained committed to ensuring a thorough, independent and professional investigation that supports ongoing efforts to enhance aviation safety.
