WHY DO MILITARY AIRCRAFT CRASH SO OFTEN?
Military aircraft should be properly maintained, writes ETIM ETIM The frequency of air crashes involving Nigeria’s military aircraft and helicopters in the last few decades should compel our military authorities
Nigeria's military has experienced a high frequency of aircraft crashes in recent decades, resulting in significant loss of life and resources. This issue raises concerns about the safety of the country's military aircraft and the effectiveness of its maintenance practices. While civilian aviation in Nigeria has shown a commitment to zero accidents, the military continues to struggle with catastrophic crashes on a regular basis.
The latest incident occurred on October 5, 2026, when a surveillance aircraft crashed during a mission from Benin to Lagos, resulting in the loss of all 25 people on board. This is not an isolated case, as multiple military aircraft have crashed over the years due to various factors such as poor maintenance, aging fleets, and human error.
Aviation safety experts attribute these incidents to challenges in maintaining aging aircraft and obtaining spare parts. However, Nigeria's military aircraft are not subject to the same level of regulatory oversight as civilian aircraft, making it difficult to assess the true extent of the problem. The frequent military air accidents have raised questions about the Nigerian military's ability to ensure the safety of its personnel and equipment.
Written by urgent.news from This Day's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
