A Nigerian air force pla has crashed in Abuja killing all seven officers aboard. This happened on Sunday.
Information reaching The Scope News revealed that the Beechcraft Kingair B350i aircraft was en route Minna in Niger State when it crashed close to the runway of the Abuja airport.
What caused the jet to crash is that it had suffered engine failure.
NAF had confirmed the crash which it said seven people were killed.
The NAF spokesman, Ibikunle Daramola has released the names of the Air Force officers involved in the crash.
These are the names of the officers in the flight;
Flight Lieutenant Haruna Gadzama (Captain),
Flight Lieutenant Henry Piyo (Co-pilot),
Flying Officer Micheal Okpara (Airborne Tactical Observation System specialist).
Others included
Warrant Officer Bassey Etim (ATOS specialist),
Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS specialist),
Sergeant Ugochukwu Oluka (ATOS specialist),
Aircraftman Adewale Johnson (Onboard Technician).
Daramola further said that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao, has ordered an immediate investigation into the crash.
“While urging the general public to remain calm and await the outcome of investigation, the CAS, on behalf of all NAF personnel, commiserates with the families of the deceased,” he said.
Meanwhile, first responders and observers reported that they had seen the plane turn around, obviously struggling in the air. The pilot they said was a hero, as he could have crashed the plane in a densely populated residential area, but managed to manouver it into a clear bushy area where it crash landed.
Others said they heard a very loud explosion.
The aircraft was en route to Minna when the crew decided to return to Abuja airport. All seven people on board died in the crash. In a statement, Air force spokesperson Ibikunle Daramola said:
“First responders are at the scene. Sadly, all 7 personnel on board died in the crash.” they revealed.
Daramola told the BBC that the aircraft was on a mission to rescue 42 people, including students and staff, abducted from their boarding school in the town of Kagara.
