Breaking: NAF Trainer Aircraft Crashes in Makurdi

By John Shiklam in Kaduna

A Nigerian Air Force FT-7NI trainer aircraft has crashed in Makurdi, Benue state.

The two pilots on board the aircraft however survived the crash.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

Gabkwet said the incident occurred on Friday in Makurdi, Benue state, at about 4.15pm.

He said the aircraft was  on a routine training exercise with two pilots who luckily survived the crash.

The statement said both pilots were taken to the NAF Base Hospital, Makurdi, for observation.

Gabkwet said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has constituted a board of inquiry to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.

“A Nigerian Air Force FT-7NI trainer aircraft crashed today, 14 July 2023 at about 4.15pm in Makurdi, Benue State, while on a routine training exercise”, the statement reads.

“Luckily, the 2 pilots on board survived the crash after successfully ejecting from the aircraft.

“Additionally, there was no loss of lives or damage to any property around the area of impact.

Both pilots are currently under observation at NAF Base Hospital, Makurdi.

“Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has constituted a board of inquiry to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash”.