Tension as aircraft crash-lands at Ilorin airport

Tension gripped Ilorin on Friday evening after a training aircraft belonging to the Aviation Training School in Kwara State crash-landed at the Ilorin International Airport, leaving two people seriously injured.

The incident occurred around 5:28 p.m. during a routine simulated instrument approach on Runway 05. According to reports, the Diamond aircraft lost control while attempting the approach, veered off the runway, and came to a halt on a grassy patch beside the tarmac.

Authorities confirmed that only two persons were onboard the aircraft at the time of the crash. Both sustained serious injuries and were promptly attended to by medical officials on ground, with support from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). They were swiftly transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care.

In response to the incident, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched a full-scale investigation to determine the cause of the crash. A technical team from the bureau’s headquarters in Abuja is en route to Ilorin to secure the scene, gather physical evidence, review flight and maintenance logs, and speak with eyewitnesses.

The NSIB urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified reports about the crash. The agency also assured Nigerians of a thorough and independent investigation aimed at enhancing aviation safety and preventing future occurrences.