NSIB Launches Onsite Investigation into Ilorin Crash-Landing, Recovers Aircraft Data Card
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an on-site investigation into the crash-landing of a Diamond training aircraft belonging to the Aviation Training School, which occurred during a simulated instrument approach at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin, on 23 May 2025.
The incident took place at approximately 17:28 local time on Runway 05, prompting an immediate response from the Bureau’s investigative team.
The Director General of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., visited the crash site today, 24 May, to personally assess the situation and supervise the early stages of the inquiry.
Speaking at the scene, Captain Badeh Jr. confirmed that the aircraft’s data card had been recovered and that analysis was already underway.
“Our investigators are on ground and have begun work in earnest. The damaged aircraft is positioned on the left side of the runway, and recovery operations are nearly complete. Four of our specialists will remain at the site to complete critical measurements before returning to Abuja,” he disclosed.
The recovered data card is now being analysed at the Bureau’s transport safety laboratory in Abuja. The results will be crucial in determining the cause of the crash and shaping the Bureau’s subsequent safety recommendations.
A preliminary report is expected to be issued within 30 days.
Reaffirming the Bureau’s commitment to transparency and diligence, Captain Badeh Jr. stated, “Our job is to determine what happened, to whom it happened, how it happened, and most importantly, how to prevent it from happening again.”
He further provided reassuring news on the condition of those aboard the aircraft, revealing that both occupants survived the incident and are in stable condition.
“They are conscious, coherent, and in stable condition,” he said, adding that one of the individuals had undergone an MRI scan while both were receiving appropriate medical care.
In a bid to calm public concern, the NSIB Director General reiterated the safety of Nigeria’s airspace, emphasising that investigations such as this are part of the Bureau’s rigorous approach to enhancing aviation safety across the country.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, a multimodal transport agency, is tasked with conducting thorough and impartial investigations into transport-related accidents and incidents within Nigeria.
The organisation’s core mandate is to identify probable causes and issue recommendations that will improve safety standards and prevent future occurrences.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
