Air Force Plane Crash: Accident Investigation Bureau Does Not Investigate Military Crash Except..

Accident Investigation Bureau has said that it does not investigate military crash except when invited.

OnyxNews Nigeria gathered that the General Manager, Public Affairs, AIB, Mr Tunji Oketunbi, said this to The PUNCH after the crash on Sunday.

An aircraft operated by the Nigerian Air Force had crashed in Abuja earlier on Sunday. About seven persons on board the military aircraft, King Air 350 died in the crash.

The jet en route Minna in Niger State crashed close to the runway of the Abuja airport after reporting engine failure.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, in a tweet, described the accident as “fatal” and prayed for the “departed souls”.

READ BREAKING: Plane Crashes In Abuja (Video)

While reacting, the AIB which is the investigating commission in charge of all aviation-related accidents and incidents in Nigeria, said it does not investigate military accidents except when invited.

“There was an accident involving a military aircraft. By the power established AIB-N, we do not investigate military incidents or accident except where invited. Please direct all your enquiries to the appropriate authorities,” AIB spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the Air Force in a statement by its spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, confirmed the crash, he said the military Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft crashed while returning to the Abuja airport after reporting engine failure en route to Minna.

The statement read, “This is to confirm that a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft crashed while returning to the Abuja Airport after reporting engine failure enroute Minna. First responders are at the scene. Sadly, all 7 personnel on board died in the crash.

“The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), @CAS_IOAma‬o, has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. While urging the general public to remain calm & await the outcome of investigation, the CAS, on behalf of all NAF personnel, commiserates with the families of the deceased.”