Just In : Sources reveal the reason why the power minister’s aircraft crashed in Ibadan.

Yesterday, it was announced that an investigation had been initiated by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) into the events surrounding the accident landing of a chartered aircraft carrying Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power.

On Friday evening, Flint Aero’s HS 125 aircraft, bearing the registration number 5N-AMM, experienced a forced landing in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The investigation conducted by this newspaper unveiled that the aerodrome lacks the necessary Instrument Landing System (ILS) that has been calibrated to operate flights, as reported by The Nation.

Concerned industry experts have characterised the pathetic condition of air navigation equipment at airports nationwide as a potential hazard to air safety.

Yesterday, while speaking at the Aviation Stakeholders’ Forum, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, revealed that the ILS is malfunctioning at numerous terminals.

A senior NAMA official confirmed the condition of the facilities at Ibadan Airport by stating that the aerodrome lacked an ILS.

Captain Musa Nuhu, the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), stated in his remarks that the majority of airport facilities fail to satisfy the bare minimum standards set by international organisations.

Mr. Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, criticised the National Airports Management Agency (NAMA) in his remarks for its antiquated and insufficient aviation navigation facilities.

He stated that the federal government was becoming increasingly concerned about the condition of air navigation equipment at airports and that NAMA would terminate a number of pending contracts involving obsolete equipment.

According to Keyamo, the aircraft tragedy may have been caused by inadequate landing apparatus supplied by NAMA.

Concerned by the development, Keyamo stated that the Federal Government has implemented safeguards to ensure that the agencies are properly coordinated.

Keyamo stated that the measures would include the streamlining of functional overlaps between agencies.

In order to address the multitude of issues plaguing the sector, Keyamo announced that a forthcoming gathering of industry stakeholders and specialists will devise a strategic plan.

It was reported that the minister’s advisers were aboard the private aircraft when it departed Abuja Airport for Ibadan at approximately 6:41 pm. At approximately 7:21 pm, the jet reportedly crashed-landed in a forest near the runway of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport while attempting to land.

It was determined that all seven passengers and all three cabin crew members were rescued from the damaged aircraft.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) stated in a preliminary report on the incident released yesterday that the aircraft was still in the forest at runway 22.

“An aircraft bearing registration number 5N-AMM, which was transporting the incumbent Minister of Power, AbdulWaheed Adebayo Adelabu, and his entourage, experienced a crash-landing along runway 22 and subsequently skidded off into a nearby bush at approximately 08:25 hours on March 11, 2023.”

“As soon as the control tower received word that he had lost contact with the aircraft that had just landed, he called for the ARFFS and other necessary airport personnel to respond to the location.”

“All seven passengers and three cabin crew members were rescued from the damaged aircraft.”

“Every attempt to obtain information from the pilot was unsuccessful.”

Moreover, the NAF airport commandant and his staff were present at the location.

“At the time this report was filed, the aircraft was still in the bush at runway 22, with AVSEC, ARFFS, Airport Safety, and NAF security personnel on standby for cover,” the report stated.

Dr. James Odaudu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection for the NSIB, stated that the investigation conducted by the organisation would ascertain the accident’s cause.

The aircraft, under the operation of Flint Short Aero, initiated radio communication with the Control Tower of Ibadan Airport at approximately 18.56 hours in order to request an extension. NAMA personnel granted the extension prior to the aircraft crew descending for landing.

Based on rumours from sources, the aircraft landed approximately 50 metres short of the threshold.

Airport sources suggested that NSIB investigators were already on the scene of the accident in an effort to obtain firsthand information regarding the immediate and remote causes of the collision.

The accident-related closure of the airport runway occurred in the early hours of yesterday, according to an investigation by this publication.

It was discovered that hundreds of passengers were detained at the airport due to the disaster and unable to reach their destinations.

Adelabu is cheerful, an attendant reports.

Yesterday, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Adelabu allayed concerns regarding his safety in the aftermath of the incident that occurred near the Ladoke Akintola Airport on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan was informed by a source with close ties to the Minister that Adelabu was unfazed and in a good mood regarding the incidence.

Late on Friday evening, a private aircraft carrying the minister and several of his advisers made an emergency landing in close proximity to the airport.

“The Minister holds the opinion that the incident does not warrant concern.” “It was a minor matter, and that is precisely how he interpreted it,” said an unnamed adviser to the minister.

Additionally, he informed our correspondent that the minister was not overly concerned about the incident because no passengers were injured and were able to depart.

“All individuals present on the aircraft at the time of the incident successfully disembarked without incident; therefore, there is no cause for concern,” the aide stated.