Technical Problem, Not Weather, May Have Caused Ondo Aircraft Crash — Gov Aiyedatiwa

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has said a possible technical or mechanical fault, rather than bad weather, may have caused the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda.

Aiyedatiwa made the disclosure during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, hours after the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area.

The governor said the aircraft may have developed a fault while in the air, resulting in the loss of communication with the control tower before the crash.

The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, was travelling from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos when contact was lost at about 9:13am. It subsequently crashed into a swampy area opposite the Naval Base in Igbokoda.

Aiyedatiwa said the crash site was difficult to access because of its location within a swamp and creek. He added that residents and emergency responders heard a loud sound before discovering the wreckage.

The governor said initial information suggested that no survivor had been found at the site, although search and rescue operations were still ongoing at the time.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed that 32 people were aboard the aircraft, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members.

The Nigerian Air Force said the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred and immediately activated search and rescue operations in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency agencies.

A senior air traffic controller also said the aircraft disappeared from radar shortly after take-off, with attempts to re-establish communication proving unsuccessful.

However, authorities have not officially established the cause of the crash. President Bola Tinubu has directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation to determine what happened and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The National Safety Investigation Bureau has also indicated that it is prepared to provide technical assistance if formally invited by the military.

As rescue and recovery operations continue, investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s wreckage, flight data and other available evidence to determine whether mechanical failure, communication problems or other factors contributed to the accident.