Seven dead bodies, black box and cockpit recorder of Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Beachcraft airplane which crashed on Sunday, February 21, 2021 have been recovered.
Firemen attached to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) put out the fire in the after noon while officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) were on ground.
About 1:30p.m., a team of investigators arrived at the scene from the Accident Investigation Bureau of Nigerian (AIB-N).
Working with the Air force personnel, the investigators immediately mapped out the accident scene, examining and identifying body parts of the aircraft, which laid strewn around the crash site.
About 2p.m, all emergency rescue teams had completed their task and were ordered to leave the scene for investigators.
An eyewitness said the aircraft struggled for balance and began descending dangerously until it hit a mango tree close to a stream behind Bassa village close to the airport.
The pilot of the aircraft had reportedly complained of engine failure barely moments after taking off. A source at the control tower, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, said the pilot was advised to return to the Abuja airport immediately but it crash-landed.
Confirming the crash, Minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika, tweeted on Sunday that the aircraft reported engine failure en route Minna, Niger State capital.
He said: “A military aircraft King Air 350 has just crashed short of our Abuja runway after reporting engine failure en route Minna. It appears to be fatal. We should remain calm and wait for the outcome of investigation by the military, while we pray for the departed soul/souls if any.”
Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, who this in Abuja, said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao, had instituted an investigative panel to determine the remote and immediate causes of the accident.
He noted that NAF had notified the Next of kins/family members of the deceased, and gave their names as: Flight Lieutenant Haruna Gadzama (Captain) Flight Lieutenant Henry Piyo (Co-Pilot), Flying Officer Michael Okpara (Airborne Tactical Observation System (ATOS) Specialist), Warrant Officer Bassey Etim (ATOS Specialist), Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS Specialist).
Others are Sergeant Ugochukwu Oluka (ATOS Specialist), Aircraftman Adewale Johnson (Onboard Technician). A military source had earlier confirmed the crash, saying: “The Nigerian Air Force NAF201 aircraft departed Abuja at 10.33UTC.
“The aircraft which was en route Minna, Niger State capital reported engine failure at time 10.39UTC and crash-landed on the final approach path of Abuja runway 22 at time 10.48UTC.
President Buhari also condoled with family members, friends and colleagues of the victims.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President noted that while investigations were ongoing, the safety of the Nigerian airspace would remain key priority of the government.
