By Ayo Kehinde 
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recovered an intact Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the scene of the ATR-42 aircraft accident in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as efforts to retrieve the remaining wreckage and establish the circumstances surrounding the crash continue.
NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, saying technical teams from the Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had confirmed that the recorder was intact.
He said part of the aircraft’s Flight Data Recorder (FDR), another critical component of the aircraft’s black box system, had also been recovered, while operations continued to locate and retrieve the remaining portion.
According to him, additional aircraft wreckage, engine components and human remains had been retrieved from the accident site.
Ejodame said recovery operations were continuing in challenging swamp terrain, with technical teams working to retrieve outstanding aircraft components and facilitate further examinations.
“Operations are ongoing in challenging swamp terrain, with teams working to retrieve outstanding components and facilitate necessary technical examinations”, he said, adding that the investigation was being conducted with due diligence to ensure comprehensive findings based on available evidence.
The Air Force spokesman said the recovery exercise also involved the careful handling of human remains retrieved from the accident scene. He explained that the Directorate of Identification and Classification (DIC) was carrying out the necessary procedures to ensure their proper identification.
Ejodame said the NAF had maintained contact with the families of victims, recognising their need for information and support as recovery and investigation activities progressed.
He also said engagements with relevant authorities over environmental concerns raised by the host community remained part of the broader response to the accident.
Ejodame appealed to members of the public to exercise patience as recovery operations and investigations continued, explaining that the difficult terrain and sensitive nature of the exercise required careful coordination and professional attention.
“While appreciating the public’s concern and interest, NAF appeals for continued patience and understanding as these critical processes require time, careful coordination and professional attention”, he said.
Ejodame stressed that the objective of the investigation was not limited to establishing the circumstances surrounding the crash but also included identifying lessons that could improve flight safety and strengthen the protection of military personnel and civilians.
“The ultimate objective is not only to establish circumstances surrounding the crash, but also to draw necessary lessons to strengthen flight safety, enhance ongoing airpower operations and further safeguard lives of personnel and citizens”, he said.
The Cockpit Voice Recorder captures audio information from the cockpit, including conversations among flight crew members and communications with air traffic controllers. The Flight Data Recorder, on the other hand, stores technical information about an aircraft’s performance and operation. The two recording devices are important sources of evidence in aviation accident investigations, helping investigators reconstruct events leading to an incident and determine possible contributing factors.
Ejodame said recovery operations and technical examinations were continuing, with teams still working to retrieve the outstanding components of the aircraft’s recording system.
