Two pilots have survived after a Super Mushshak trainer aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday experienced a minor accident in Kaduna State.
According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, the incident occurred at about 2:35pm while the pilots were returning from routine training.
The two pilots escaped unhurt.
The statement read, “A Nigerian Air Force Super Mushshak trainer aircraft was involved in a minor mishap earlier today, March 7, 2024, at about 2:35 p.m. The accident, which occurred about 3.5 nautical miles from Kaduna Military Airfield, involved two pilots who were returning from a routine training flight. Luckily, both pilots came out of the crash unscathed.”
According to Gabkwet, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has ordered a probe into the incident.
He said, “The CAS has since directed a preliminary investigation to ascertain the immediate cause of the crash.”
In the last 9 years, Nigeria suffered at least 17 military air crashes, leading to the deaths of many. The most recent occurred in December 2023 when a MI-35P helicopter belonging to the Air Force crash-landed in Port Harcourt, with five crew members sustaining injuries.