Specialised divers from the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have recovered components of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR 42-500 aircraft that crashed at Igbokoda, Ondo State, as investigators intensify efforts to determine the cause of the accident.
The Air Force said on Wednesday that underwater search and recovery operations were continuing at the crash site, with multi-agency teams working around the clock to locate and retrieve materials considered relevant to the investigation.
Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the specialist divers were conducting the operation in support of the investigation into the October 5 crash.
According to him, the recovered aircraft components and other materials are being carefully documented and preserved to assist investigators seeking to reconstruct the circumstances surrounding the accident.
“The divers are working assiduously to locate and retrieve relevant materials for documentation and preservation,” Ejodame said.
He explained that the difficult recovery operation was being supported by a combination of hydrographic surveys, satellite-based search-and-rescue imagery, excavation of mud and the pumping out of excess water to improve access to areas considered critical to the investigation.
“The multi-agency teams are working tirelessly day and night to maintain sustained efforts, supported by hydrographic surveys, satellite-based search-and-rescue imagery, mud excavation and pumping out of excess water to facilitate access to relevant areas,” he added.
The ATR 42-500 aircraft, with registration number NAF 931, crashed at Igbokoda in Ondo State on October 5.
According to the Air Force, 25 people were on board the aircraft at the time of the accident, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers.
Since the crash, attention has shifted to the recovery of evidence capable of helping investigators determine the sequence of events leading to the accident.
The involvement of the NSIB alongside the Nigerian Navy and the Air Force brings aviation accident investigators and specialised maritime recovery personnel into the operation, particularly because relevant parts of the wreckage are submerged or buried in difficult terrain.
Wednesday’s recovery of aircraft components represents further progress in that effort, although authorities have yet to disclose when a preliminary investigation report will be released.
The investigation is expected to examine recovered wreckage and other available operational and technical evidence before conclusions can be reached on what caused NAF 931 to crash.
