Isaac Samuel
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is awaiting a formal invitation from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) before joining the investigation into Monday’s crash of an ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The Bureau, however, said it was ready to provide investigators and technical support, including its Flight Safety Laboratory, for the recovery and analysis of flight data and cockpit voice recordings if requested by the military authority.
The aircraft, which was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos, crashed near the Naval Base in Igbokoda after losing contact with air traffic control. The NAF subsequently activated a search-and-rescue operation.
In a statement by its Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., the NSIB said the crash involved a military aircraft and, therefore, falls under the authority of the military.
It said: “This occurrence involves a military aircraft. In line with the NSIB Establishment Act, 2022, and with established international practice, the investigation of military aviation accidents rests with the military authority.
“The NSIB does not investigate military accidents unless formally invited to do so by that authority.”
The Bureau said that, should the NAF request its involvement, it could deploy investigators and make its Flight Safety Laboratory available for the recovery and readout of flight recorders, as well as other technical support required for the investigation.
The development followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the NAF to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash.
The President, in a statement, mourned the NAF personnel involved in the accident and said he had directed the Chief of Air Staff to immediately commence an investigation into its cause
.
The NAF has said 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the aircraft, bringing the total number of people on board to 32.
However, the identities of those aboard, as well as an official breakdown of those killed, injured, rescued or missing, had yet to be publicly disclosed.
The cause of the crash also remains unknown.
The NSIB expressed condolences to the families of those affected and urged the public to rely on official updates from the NAF concerning the rescue operation and investigation.
