Two passengers were hospitalised after a Diamond training aircraft from the Aviation Training School in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, crash-landed on Friday around 4 p.m.
The crash happened during a simulated instrument approach on Runway 05 at Ilorin International Airport. This type of flight requires the pilot to rely solely on the aircraft’s instruments for navigation and control.
According to PUNCH, although no fatalities occurred, both occupants sustained serious injuries and were promptly evacuated to a medical facility. Their current condition remains unknown.
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The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), through a statement by its Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, confirmed that an investigation into the cause has commenced.
According to the report, the aircraft veered off the runway and came to rest on the grassy verge. The NSIB said the evacuation was coordinated by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, and that its Go-Team is preparing to travel from Abuja to Ilorin for 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 statement added.
In a statement, NSIB Director General 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 and media to refrain from speculation and to await official updates, stressing that the NSIB “remains committed to ensuring a thorough, independent, and professional investigation that supports ongoing efforts to enhance aviation safety in Nigeria.”
Olajide assured that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.
