Military aviation safety under scrutiny after 17 mishaps in 10 years

•Pilots, engineers seek safety audit, tighter procedures

When a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft carrying 20 passengers and five crew, crashed into the swampy area near the naval base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on October 5, it triggered loud calls for an urgent military aviation safety audit.

This latest crash is one of the deadliest in recent history and stakeholders insist that the time has come to beam the searchlight on uniformed men involved in aviation matters, especially as the military has recorded more air mishaps compared to civil aviation.

The Air Force has released the names of all 25 victims and has launched an investigation while President Bola Tinubu has directed the service to determine what caused the crash and to take steps to prevent a recurrence.

Human rights group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has argued that the causes of earlier military crashes were never made public.

Nigeria’s military aviation has a long history of fatal accidents.

In 1992, a NAF C-130 Hercules crashed in Lagos, killing over 100 people aboard.

In August 2015, a Dornier 228 crashed inside a military cantonment in Kaduna, killing everyone on board. However, this report focuses on military aviation incidents from 2016.

2016 and beyond

The early incidents were mostly non-fatal mishaps. On November 24, 2016, an AgustaWestland AW101 helicopter, provided to the NAF by the Presidency, had a mishap while taxiing at the NAF base in Makurdi, Benue State. No fatalities were recorded. On July 6, 2017, an Agusta 109 light utility helicopter ditched in the Borno River after a technical fault. No one died. On September 28, 2018, two F-7Ni fighters collided during an Independence Day rehearsal near Katampe Hills, Abuja. One pilot who ejected died.

From 2019, the incidents became more fatal. On January 2, an Mi-35M attack helicopter crashed at Damasak, Borno State, while providing close air support to ground troops. Five crew members were killed. On June 12, there was an incident involving a NAF helicopter in Katsina State while returning from an anti-banditry mission. In August 2019, an RV-6A Air Beetle trainer crashed in Kaduna, killing an instructor. On November 14, a training helicopter crashed in Enugu. No one died.

Unfortunately, 2021 was the deadliest year in the period. On February 21, a Beechcraft King Air 350i lost an engine after takeoff from Abuja and crashed, killing all seven officials aboard. The aircraft was heading to Niger State on a flight ahead of a rescue operation for abducted schoolgirls. On March 31, an Alpha Jet disappeared from radar during operations in Borno State, and both pilots were presumed dead. On May 21, a King Air 350i crashed in poor weather while approaching Kaduna. All 11 aboard died, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru. On July 18, an Alpha Jet was shot down by bandits in Zamfara State after an interdiction mission.

The losses continued into the following years. On April 19, 2022, a Super Mushshak trainer crashed at the NAF base in Kaduna, killing two pilots. On July 14, 2023, an FT-7Ni trainer crashed near Makurdi during a training exercise, and both pilots ejected safely. On August 14, 2023, a Mi-171E crashed near Chukuba, Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State, while on a casualty-evacuation mission, killing 11 people. On December 1, 2023, a Mi-35P crashed shortly after takeoff from the NAF base in Port Harcourt during an operation against “economic saboteurs.” All crew survived. In March 2024, a Super Mushshak was involved in a minor mishap during a routine training flight.

Experts call for stricter standards

Compared with civil aviation, military incidents occur more often, and aviation professionals have suggested how the risk could be reduced.

The immediate past national president of the Nigerian Association of Aircraft Pilot and Engineers (NAAPE), Abednego Galadima, spoke to Daily Sun on the issue. He said: “First, my condolences go to the families and loved ones of the victims of the crash. As always, aviation, whether military or civil, relies heavily on safety and security. In this instance, unfortunately, the military is seen as having frequent crashes.

“What I believe is that every form of aviation, whether civil or military, is conscious of safety. In this instance, I believe the military, particularly in Nigeria, has its own internal standards and quality assurance processes. What is important is to ensure those standards are always strictly adhered to, because you can’t leave anything to chance. I want to call on the authorities to increase vigilance, particularly in terms of adherence. Processes and procedures must be properly followed, and there is no room for cutting corners.

“Don’t forget that military aviation is always very busy. You can imagine the case of the military in America, for example. In these operations, they have had several crashes, so it isn’t unexpected. But, as I said, it’s important that internal standards are strictly adhered to.”

The incumbent national president of NAAPE, Capt. Bunmi Gindeh, also spoke to Daily Sun, emphasising on the need for a thorough safety audit and strict adherence to standard operating procedure.

He said: “First, I want to offer condolences to the people who have lost their lives, and also express solidarity with the Air Force families. We have pilots and engineers who are colleagues, friends, brothers, and sisters, so condolences go to that part of our family.

“What can be done to mitigate these crashes? The first thing that comes to mind is to pause. They should stop whatever they are doing, including flying and aircraft operations. Next, they should go back and conduct a holistic audit. Safety audits, yes, of the operations. Whatever the findings are, panels should be formed to examine them, look for solutions, and close out those findings. That’s the first thing that comes to mind: a safety audit.

“Because this is a military matter, civilians can lend support if they reach out. Organizations like the NSIB can assist, but they cannot take charge of the operations unless they are invited to do so. I would also order that they be invited, because they have the expertise and facilities to get to the root cause and uncover more information that would help with the safety audit.

“The other thing that comes to mind, which will emerge from the safety audit, is SOPs. Ninety percent of the time, in general aviation and some military operations, there is a tendency to resist SOPs.

“SOPs which are Standard Operating Procedures help ensure things are done correctly. The SOP tells you to do this every minute, so you know how to do it. On the civil aviation side, the procedures are drilled into the crew and engineers. They treat the SOP like a bible, almost like a checklist. So in terms of operations, SOPs should be adhered to strictly.

“Once the audit is carried out, I’m sure those issues will be among the things identified. We can also speak to what happened, whether it was the weather, whether the aircraft had maintenance issues, or other factors. All of this will help us narrow down the cause, provide a solution, and make safety recommendations so that others do not repeat the same mistakes going forward.”

INAE demands transparent probe

The Institute of Nigerian Aeronautical Engineers (INAE) has called for a thorough, transparent and timely investigation into the October 5 crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 at Igbokoda, Ondo State, and for its findings to be made public.

In a statement issued by its President, Dr. Ebitei Charles, the Institute welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for an inquiry into the crash, which killed all 25 people aboard, 20 passengers and five crew.

The institute said the findings should be published so that lessons can be learned and a recurrence prevented.

The engineers also called for a broader review of flight safety, covering maintenance, airworthiness and operational procedures. The ATR-42, registration NAF 931, was flying from Benin to Lagos when it lost contact with air traffic controllers at about 9:13 a.m. on October 5. Its wreckage was later found in a swampy area near the naval base in Igbokoda. The cause of the crash has not been made public.

“The Institute welcomes the Presidential directive for an investigation and calls for it to be thorough, transparent and timely, with its findings made public so that lessons can be learned and a recurrence prevented. We also urge a comprehensive review of flight safety, including maintenance, airworthiness and operational procedures. INAE stands ready to offer its general technical expertise and professional support to the Nigerian Air Force and the relevant authorities, should it be required.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and with the officers and men of the Service, who serve our country with dedication and sacrifice,” the statement read.