A Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 25 military and civilian passengers crashed in Ondo State on Monday, killing everyone on board in one of the country’s deadliest military aviation accidents in recent years.
The crash has renewed attention on previous fatal accidents involving Nigerian Air Force aircraft. Some of the major incidents recorded over the years include the following:
In 1980, a Fokker F27 aircraft travelling from Lagos to São Tomé crashed in Forcados, Delta State, on May 26. All 30 people on board died. The passengers included government officials, military personnel and journalists.
In 1992, a Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft crashed in Ejigbo, Lagos, shortly after taking off from Lagos airport on September 26. All 159 people on board were killed, with most of the passengers being military officers.
In 1997, a Dornier Do 128 training aircraft crashed about three kilometres from Kaduna Airport on February 24, killing all three people aboard.
In 2000, a Dornier Do 128 aircraft crashed while approaching Warri Airport in Delta State on October 26. All six people on board died.
In 2006, an 18-seater Dornier 228 military transport aircraft carrying 15 senior army officers and three crew members crashed in Benue State on September 17. Three people survived the accident.
In 2015, a Dornier 228 aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from a military air base in Kaduna. The aircraft went out of control and crashed into a house within a military cantonment, killing all seven people on board.
In 2019, an attack helicopter supporting troops involved in operations against jihadist insurgents in north-eastern Nigeria crashed on January 2. All five people aboard the aircraft died.
In February 2021, seven Air Force personnel were killed when a Beechcraft King Air aircraft crashed while travelling towards Abuja Airport. The aircraft reportedly suffered engine failure while heading towards central Niger State for a reconnaissance operation linked to efforts to rescue abducted schoolgirls.
Another fatal Beechcraft King Air crash occurred in May 2021 when the aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Kaduna Airport in bad weather. All 11 people aboard died, including the then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru.
The latest Ondo State crash adds to a long history of fatal military aviation accidents in Nigeria and has renewed concerns over the safety of military flight operations.