By Matthew Denis
Investigators from the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) on Thursday began investigation into the crash landing incident, which occurred at the Ilorin International Airport, Kwara State.
The training aircraft involved in the incident had two occupants; an instructor and a student onboard at the time it crash landed at the Ilorin International Airport on Wednesday.
The aircraft, a Diamond plane with the registration number: 5N BNH, it was gathered developed fault with its landing gear as it prepared for landing on the runway.
The investigators who were three in number arrived the airport aboard Overland Airway, which landed at exactly 9:49am and were immediately conveyed by an hilux to the International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin.
The Rector of the College, Engr. Benedict Adeyileka, confirmed the arrival of AIB’s investigators at the college, when our correspondent contacted him on phone on Thursday.
He said the AIB was immediately notified of the incident by management of, which prompted the dispatch of the investigators to the college for commencement of investigation into the accident.
He, however, declined to comment on the cause of the incident, saying that the information will be provided by the college after investigation into the remote cause of the crash might have been concluded.
He said: “What I can confirm to you is that we notified AIB immediately after the incident and the bureau sent in their investigators to unravel the cause. As I am speaking to you right now, the investigators are on ground.
“But, what I can’t confirm is the cause of the incident. We can’t say anything on that at the moment. The problem of some of the reporters is that they immediately jump into conclusion on the cause of any incident or accident in the industry. This is unprofessional. The cause can’t be ascertained until the AIB comes out with its report.”
But, he confirmed that an instructor and a trainee were onboard the aircraft at the time of the incident.
Similarly, the General Manager, Public Affairs of AIB, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi confirmed the dispatch of its officials to the crash site.
He explained that the college notified the agency immediately, expressing optimism that the investigators would do a thorough job.
A source close to the college had earlier confided in our correspondent on Wednesday that the incident occurred at exactly 11:05am without any casualty.
The airport was immediately closed to air traffic and reopened about four hours later on the fateful day.
