Nigerian Investigation Bureau, NSIB Begins Probe Of Ilorin Aviation College Aircraft Crash
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 at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 5:28pm on Friday, May 23, 2025, during a simulated instrument approach on Runway 05, left two occupants injured.
Though no fatalities were recorded, both victims were rushed to a medical facility, with one undergoing an MRI scan. Authorities say the duo remain conscious and in stable condition.
The NSIB, in a statement issued Saturday by its Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, confirmed that a full-scale investigation had commenced.
The agency’s Director General, Captain Alex Badeh, personally visited the scene to oversee the preliminary findings.
“Our investigators are already on the ground. The aircraft is off the left side of the runway, and recovery is nearly complete,” Badeh stated, revealing that the aircraft’s flight data card had been retrieved and was being analysed at the bureau’s transport safety lab.
He added, “Our job is not just to determine what happened, but also how and why it happened — and more importantly, how to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
Director-General of the NSIB, Badeh, also said: “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. We are deploying our team to Ilorin to ensure that no detail is overlooked.”
The Bureau, however, urged the public and media to avoid speculation and to await verified updates from the authorities, “ as the NSIB remains committed to ensuring a thorough, independent, and professional investigation that supports ongoing efforts to enhance aviation safety in Nigeria.”
Reacting on the development, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, in a circular issued on Saturday, said, “A 5N-BNI, Diamond DA42 aircraft used for training with two passengers on board, skidded off the Runway 05 of the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin, at 18.31hrs local time.
“The aircraft landed but veered off the Runway and eventually came to a stop on the grass area.
“The two occupants of the aircraft were evacuated to a medical facility. They are both stable and responding to treatment. As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), have completed their preliminary assessments, and the disabled aircraft recovered to the International Aviation College premises.
“Operations in and out of General Tunde Idiagbon International are back to normal.”
