NAF ATR-42 crashes in Ondo after vanishing from radar, authorities search for survivors

32 people died on Monday, after a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 turboprop aircraft crashed into a swampy area directly opposite the Naval Base in Igbokoda.

A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft with 32 people on board has crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, after vanishing from radar shortly after take-off. Read More: https://punchng.com/ondo-air-crash-naf-plane-vanished-from-radar-shortly-after-take-off/

A resident who visited the scene of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje LGA of Ondo state, on Monday, said human remains, aircraft parts and personal effects were scattered across the area.   Oluboyo Olusola, the resident, said some bodies were also found inside the water, noting that the difficult terrain initially prevented first responders from reaching the crash site until naval personnel assisted them in gaining access to the area.   Olusola said the incident occurred at about 10 am and that he did not witness the aircraft go down but was alerted by a deafening sound that sent residents rushing towards the scene.   According to him, the condition of the crash site and what was recovered there suggest that there might be no survivors.     “We heard a loud noise like thunder and rushed to the scene, only to discover that it was an aircraft crash. Initially, we thought it was a helicopter but later understood it was an aircraft,” he said.   “It was difficult to access the terrain, but with the assistance of some naval officers, we were able to get there and saw the remains of the aircraft, as well as human remains, clothes, shoes and other personal effects.   “Some of the bodies were also inside the water. From what I saw, it appeared that there was no survivor.”     He added that the difficult terrain and waterlogged nature of the area posed a major challenge to those trying to reach the wreckage.   Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, the Olu of Igbokoda, who also spoke on the incident, said he was in court when the crash occurred and immediately directed some palace aides to proceed to the scene to ascertain what had happened.   The monarch said he initially feared the aircraft could have been a commercial passenger plane, which could have resulted in an even higher number of casualties.   Odidiomo said the aircraft did not crash within the town, adding that such an incident could have resulted in a major tragedy.     “The aircraft crashed into the river and a swampy area. It was raining when the incident happened, and the place was waterlogged,” he said.   “The aircraft did not catch fire, but a substantial part of it has gone into the water.”   “We cannot describe the exact situation for now, but from my investigation and what we have gathered so far, there was no survivor.”   He, however, said authorities were still working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the crash.     The NAF aircraft ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931 was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when it crashed in a swampy area near the naval base in Igbokoda.   Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, said 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board.     Ehimen Ejodame, NAF director of public relations and information, said the force had commenced search and rescue operations in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.   Maurice Oripelaye, chairman of Ilaje LGA, said military equipment had been recovered from the site but cautioned against premature conclusions on the casualty figure, noting that it was too early to establish the number of people who may have died.  

A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft with tail number NGR 931 crashed on Monday in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, after disappearing from radar shortly after take-off.The plane, which departed Benin City en route to Lagos, lost communication with air traffic controllers at 9:13 a.m. before plunging into a swamp near a naval base. According to officials, 32 people, 25 passengers and seven crew members — were on board.A senior air traffic controller described the sudden loss of contact as “suspicious,” noting that efforts to reconnect with the aircraft failed. Local residents reported hearing a loud bang during light rainfall, while fishermen joined military personnel in the difficult rescue operation through swampy terrain.Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo confirmed the wreckage had been located, while Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said no survivors were found. “They could not see any living soul that was in that aircraft,” he stated, adding that ID cards and uniforms recovered at the site confirmed it was a military plane.President Bola Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, directing the Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation. “This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” he said.The Nigerian Air Force has activated search-and-rescue operations and pledged to release further details. Investigators are focusing on recovering the aircraft’s black box to determine the cause of the crash, with weather conditions and maintenance history expected to form part of the inquiry.

Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of Ondo state, says there are no confirmed survivors yet after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje LGA, on Monday.   Aiyedatiwa spoke on Channels Television after the aircraft crashed in a swampy area opposite a naval base in Igbokoda.   The governor said he received information about the crash at about 10:30am from the chairman of Ilaje LGA, who informed him that an aircraft had gone down in the area.   He said residents and personnel at the nearby naval base initially heard a sound resembling an earth tremor before some witnesses saw the aircraft dive into the swamp.     According to Aiyedatiwa, Nigerian Navy personnel initially stayed back to establish that there was no risk of an explosion or fire before moving into the area to search for survivors.   He said officials of the local emergency management agency, residents, and personnel of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, joined the rescue efforts.   “But from the information we got, no single life was saved up to this moment,” Aiyedatiwa said.     “They could not see any living soul that was in that aircraft. But they saw the ruins, some of the breakage, the wreckage from the wings of the aircraft. Some ID cards, and then a uniform. That was when they knew it was a military aircraft.”   Aiyedatiwa said he had been receiving updates from his security adviser, the local government chairman and security personnel involved in the operation.   “No survivors yet, from the information I’ve gotten from the people,” he reiterated.   “I have not been able to speak to the naval captain that is leading the base, but my security adviser, the information, which he is the one getting in contact with them, with the Amotekun leader in the local government, and the local government chairman. From all indications, no survivor yet that we can record.”     ‘IT’S SAD SITUATION TODAY’   The governor described the crash as a painful incident, particularly because it occurred in his home local government.   He said the victims were military personnel who were on duty to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity.   “It’s a sad situation today, and we are all really aggrieved as Nigerians, and also it happened in my own state, not just my state, even my own local government where I’m from,” he said.     “Everybody has been mourning about that which happened to Nigerian military officers who are planning to protect the territorial integrity of our country. So painful.”   The NAF confirmed that the aircraft was an ATR-42 and said it was on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo state capital, to Lagos when the accident occurred.     Ehimen Ejodame, NAF director of public relations and information, said the air force had activated a search and rescue operation in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency agencies.   The NAF did not initially disclose the number of people on board or the casualties.     The aircraft is understood to have been used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance as well as air maritime operations.   President Bola Tinubu has since ordered the NAF to commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.     Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Tinubu described the incident as a “painful moment” for the armed forces and the country.