NAF Crash: Pilot’s Heroics Averted Bigger Disaster – Aiyedatiwa
NAF Crash: Pilot's heroics averted bigger disaster – Aiyedatiwa
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa says the pilot of the Nigerian Air Force aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda may have averted a bigger disaster by manoeuvring the aircraft away from the community.
The NAF ATR-42 aircraft, registration NAF 931, crashed on Monday, October 5, while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos. The Nigerian Air Force confirmed all 25 people on board — five crew members and 20 passengers — died.
Aiyedatiwa spoke on Wednesday when he visited the crash site in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, as search and recovery operations continued.
According to the governor, eyewitnesses said the aircraft appeared to be heading directly into the community with a loud sound suggesting engine failure.
"From what the people told us, the aircraft was almost coming into the community, but the pilot managed to manoeuvre it away before it crashed about 200 metres from the community and went straight into the swampy area," Aiyedatiwa said.
He described the incident as a national tragedy and praised the pilot's bravery, saying only the pilot could explain the effort made in the final moments.
Recovery has been hampered by difficult terrain. The main fuselage, cockpit and black boxes are believed to be submerged in deep swamp, mangroves and muddy water. The Nigerian Navy has deployed side-scan sonar, divers and drones, while swamp buggies were brought in to access the site.
Aiyedatiwa commiserated with President Bola Tinubu and the families of the victims, and ordered sustained search operations.
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