Missing Aircraft: NAF Secretly Buries Flt Lt Chappelle

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Thursday, October 13, 2022, laid to rest Flt.Lt. Chappelle at the military cemetery in Abuja.

Flt. Lt. Chappelle, according to military sources, was the pilot of the missing Alpha jet aircraft in Borno State.

The aircraft had lost contact with radar at about 5:08 pm on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

Troops of the Nigerian Army discovered wreckage of the missing Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft which went on March 31, 2022.

The wreckage was discovered after 11 months of its disappearance from radar in the North-East.

The Nigerian Army on its official Facebook page announcing the discovery, said further exploitation was still ongoing at the time.

The NAF director of public relations and information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, had while confirming the incident, said the aircraft lost contact with radar at about 5:08 pm on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

He said search and rescue party had been launched, adding that details will be communicated appropriately.

The statement reads “A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha-Jet has lost contact with radar in Borno State, while on interdiction mission in support of ground troops.

“The mission was part of the ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the North East. The loss of radar contact occurred at about 5:08 pm on 31 March 2021.

“Details of the whereabout of the aircraft or likely cause of contact loss are still sketchy but will be relayed to the general public as soon as they become clear. Meanwhile, search and rescue efforts are ongoing.”

Almost a year after, troops of Operation Desert Sanity on Saturday discovered the wreckage of the aircraft in Sambisa Forest.

“Troops of Operation Desert Sanity on clearance patrol in Sambisa Forest, Borno State, have uncovered the wreckage of crashed Alpha Jet aircraft (NAF475) that went off the radar with 2 crew members on 31 March 2021. Further exploitation ongoing.”