A Nigerian Air Force plane crashed on the approach to Abuja International Airport. The seven people on board the plane were killed, according to the air force.
A military plane crashed on Sunday 21 February on the approach to the runway of Abuja-Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, about 40 kilometers from the center of the Nigerian capital, James Odaudu, spokesman for the Nigerian Ministry of Aviation, said.
The seven people on board the plane were killed in the crash, the Nigerian Air Force said on Twitter, expressing its condolences to the families of the victims. The Chief of Air Staff, General Isiaka Oladayo Amao, has ordered an investigation into the incident.
“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 en route Minna [110 km northwest of Abuja, editor’s note]. First responders are at the scene. Sadly, all 7 personnel on board died in the crash,” NAF said
Nigerian Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika and the Nigeria Accident Investigation Bureau had previously confirmed information about the crash.
According to the Nigerian daily Vanguard, the plane burned down completely.
The plane took off from Abuja at 10:33 UTC, Vanguard said. The aircraft reported an engine failure at 10:39 am. The crash occurred while the aircraft was on the final approach path to Abuja’s runway 22 at 10:48 am.
