NAF Air Crash: Reps seek independent probe, audit of military aircraft after fatal crash

The Nigerian Air Force has established a 12-member Aircraft Accident Investigation Board to probe the crash of its ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The aircraft plummeted to the ground on October 5, 2026, claiming the lives of all aboard. This decision was announced in a press release on Tuesday, with the board tasked to determine the accident's causes and propose measures to avert future mishaps.

The board's president, Air Vice Marshal FO Ankeli, will be led by Air Vice Marshal EOE Ebiowe, the head of the Investigation and Recovery Team. The 12-member board comprises experts in aviation operations, flight safety, piloting, air traffic control, aircraft engineering, maintenance, medical services, and other technical disciplines.

The board will scrutinize operational, technical, environmental, human, and organizational factors surrounding the accident. Its duties include examining evidence, documenting findings, and preserving crucial information to establish the facts and pinpoint the immediate and underlying causes of the incident. The NAF also aims to assess the emergency response, including search and rescue, medical interventions, recovery operations, and site management.

The board is expected to issue evidence-based recommendations to address any identified deficiencies and enhance aviation safety. The NAF has set up a direct helpline at its headquarters to offer bereaved families recorded information and clarification. The Service has activated administrative arrangements, including meetings with affected families and other support measures.

The NAF emphasizes that search, recovery, and investigative efforts continue to be a top priority, vowing to implement safety recommendations from the board's findings.