May 24, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an investigation into the crash-landing of a Diamond training aircraft operated by the Aviation Training School in Ilorin.
The incident, which occurred at 5:28 pm local time on Thursday, May 23, 2025, happened during a simulated instrument approach on Runway 05 of the Ilorin International Airport.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the NSIB, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, said the aircraft veered off the runway and came to a stop on the grass verge.
There were two occupants on board. Both sustained serious injuries and were promptly evacuated to a medical facility through the coordination of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
Following the incident, the Bureau has deployed its Go-Team from Abuja to Ilorin to begin an on-site investigation.
Oladeji said the team would secure the crash site, collect physical evidence, interview witnesses, and retrieve operational data in order to determine the causes and contributing factors of the incident.
Reacting to the incident, the Director-General of NSIB, Alex Badeh Jr., expressed sympathy for the injured and commended the emergency response efforts.
“Our thoughts are with the injured, and we commend the swift medical and emergency response. Now, our focus is on understanding exactly what went wrong. Every investigation is an opportunity to improve safety,” he said.
The Bureau urged the public and media to refrain from speculation and wait for verified updates as the investigation unfolds.
“NSIB remains committed to a thorough, independent, and professional investigation that contributes to ongoing efforts to enhance aviation safety in Nigeria,” the statement added.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
