Governor Aiyedatiwa Attributes Ondo Aircraft Crash to Technical Faults, Not Weather

In a recent interview with Channels Television, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa provided insights into the tragic crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, stating that technical or mechanical failures, rather than inclement weather, likely led to the incident. The ATR-42 aircraft, which was operating a routine mission from Benin to Lagos, crashed in a swampy area near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, raising concerns and prompting immediate action from the Nigerian Air Force.

Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized that the aircraft may have encountered issues while airborne, resulting in a loss of communication with the control tower. He stated, “It is not a case of wanting to land like I said. So, some kind of technical problem might have happened to the aircraft that would make it lose signal.” This assertion is significant in understanding the dynamics surrounding the crash, especially as it dismisses the possibility of weather-related complications.

Further elaborating on the situation, Aiyedatiwa noted that the flight path from Benin to Lagos is relatively short, suggesting that if weather conditions had been poor, the aircraft would not have departed in the first place. “If the weather was bad, they would not even take off,” he remarked, indicating that the decision to proceed with the flight was based on favorable conditions at the time.

The Nigerian Air Force has since activated a search-and-rescue operation to locate the aircraft and assess the situation further. As investigations continue, the focus remains on identifying the precise cause of the crash and ensuring that the safety of air travel remains a priority.