Military Officers Feared Dead As Trainer Aircraft Crashes In Kaduna

A file photo of NAF personnel with an Alpha-jet of the Nigerian Air Force. Photo: Twitter-@NigAirForce

BY GODWIN OBI

An Air Force trainer Aircraft has reportedly crashed in Kaduna state, with the two pilots on board feared dead.

Although the Airforce authorities are yet to confirm the incident, a security source told our correspondent that the trainer Aircraft crashed at the Air Force training base in Kaduna during a training session on Tuesday.

The aircraft reportedly belonged to the 401 flying training school.

The 401 flying training school of the Nigerian Airforce has continued to fulfil its statutory role of providing effective flying training for almost 40 years as evidenced by the quality of its graduands over the years.

However, This is not the first time that an aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Airforce is involved in such mishap either within or outside its training facilities.

In 2018, a pilot sustained injuries after a jet belonging to the Nigerian Air Force was involved in a mishap in Kaduna state .

The student pilot was said to have forced-landed the aircraft – a Diamond 40 trainer – on the outskirts of Kaduna while on a solo mission as part of flying training at the 401 Flying Training School, Kaduna.

Diamond 40 is a one-person seater training aircraft used for the training of air force personnel.

Air craft crashes are not uncommon in Nigeria’s military history.

In May 2021, a NAF aircraft crashed in Kaduna killing the then Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 other military officers.

Also in March 2021, a military jet crashed in Sambisa forest with two crew members onboard.

The army last month said it uncovered the wreckage of the crashed Alpha Jet during a clearance operation in Sambisa forest.

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