Ondo NAF Crash: Recovery Operation Intensifies as Air Force Begins Probe

The Nigerian Air Force has begun a detailed investigation into the crash of its ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as recovery teams continue to battle difficult swampy terrain in efforts to retrieve the wreckage and remains of those who died.

The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, crashed on October 5 while on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos. The tragedy claimed the lives of those on board, with the latest official account putting the number at 25 people — five crew members and 20 passengers.

The immediate focus has now shifted from the crash itself to the difficult recovery operation and the search for evidence that could establish exactly what happened before the aircraft went down. The wreckage is deeply submerged in a swamp, while dense vegetation has made access to the site particularly difficult for military and emergency personnel.

A board of inquiry has been activated by the Nigerian Air Force as part of the investigation. A military source said the Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation traditionally chairs such investigations, while recovery activities are also expected to form part of the evidence-gathering process.

Specialised floating equipment has been brought to the area by a private construction company to clear vegetation and create access for recovery teams. The operation involves personnel from the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, marine police, emergency agencies and local divers.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who visited the crash site, said parts of bodies, clothing and aircraft components had been recovered, but the main fuselage had yet to be located. He directed the deployment of amphibious equipment to improve access to the difficult riverine area and support the ongoing recovery operation.

The investigation is also expected to examine the aircraft’s maintenance history, flight operations, airworthiness and other technical factors. The Air Force has rejected speculation that the aircraft was simply an old or abandoned plane, saying it was acquired around 2010 and had been properly maintained.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has said it can provide technical assistance, including support with the recovery and analysis of flight data and cockpit voice recordings, but noted that because the aircraft was military, its direct involvement requires a formal invitation from the military authorities.

The crash has also triggered renewed calls for closer cooperation between Nigeria’s civil and military aviation authorities. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke have agreed to strengthen collaboration and knowledge-sharing on aviation safety.

Beyond determining the immediate cause of the crash, attention is increasingly turning to whether broader safety measures are required across Nigeria’s military aviation fleet. Calls have been made for comprehensive reviews of aircraft maintenance, crew readiness, operational procedures, safety management systems and emergency response.

The Federal Government has already ordered a thorough investigation, while President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning for the victims. The findings of the investigation are expected to determine whether technical, operational, maintenance, environmental or other factors contributed to the disaster and what measures should be taken to prevent a recurrence.

As recovery operations continue in Igbokoda, authorities are facing the dual task of recovering the victims and aircraft while preserving evidence that could provide answers to the families of those who died and guide future aviation safety reforms.

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