Two pilots survive as NAF aircraft crashes during training

A trainer aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force on Thursday experienced a minor accident in Kaduna State.

The aircraft, a Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, was involved in a minor accident at about 2.35pm.

According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, the incident occurred while the pilots were returning from routine training.

He, however, said the two pilots escaped unhurt.

The statement read, “A Nigerian Air Force Super Mushshak trainer aircraft was involved in a minor mishap earlier today, March 7, 2024, at about 2.35 p.m. The accident, which occurred about 3.5 nautical miles from Kaduna Military Airfield, involved two pilots who were returning from a routine training flight. Luckily, both pilots came out of the crash unscathed.”

Gabkwet, however, said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has ordered a probe into the incident.

He said, “The CAS has since directed a preliminary investigation to ascertain the immediate cause of the crash.”

Recent NAF aircraft crashes

According Online reports that between 2015 and December 2023, Nigeria suffered at least 17 military air crashes, leading to the deaths of many.

Some of the incidents include the crash that occurred in Port Harcourt in December 2023. A MI-35P helicopter belonging to the Air Force crash-landed, with five crew members sustaining injuries.

On August 14, 2023, a NAF aircraft was said to have departed Zungeru Primary School en route to Kaduna but was later discovered to have crashed in a village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger.

Also, in July 2023, an FT7-NI aircraft crashed in Makurdi; no deaths were recorded.

In addition, in February 2023, the Air Force recorded a crash after one of their jets lost its tyre mid-air and made an emergency landing at Lagos Airport on its belly. No death was equally recorded.

On February 22, 2021, seven NAF personnel on their way from Abuja to Minna, Niger State, to rescue the abducted students and workers of Government Science College, Kagara, died when their plane crashed shortly after takeoff from the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport.