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People and rescuers gather at the site where a Nigerian Air Force plane crashed on approach to the runway at Abuja airport, according to the Minister of Aviation, in Abuja, Nigeria, February 21, 2021. REUTERS / Afolabi Sotunde
Seven people were killed when a Nigerian military plane crashed on Sunday approaching Abuja airport, a Nigerian air force spokesperson said. “All 7 personnel on board died in the crash,” Air Vice-Marshal Ibikunle Daramola said on Twitter.
He added that the Air Force Chief of Staff had ordered an immediate investigation into the incident.
“A King Air 350 military plane just crashed below our Abuja runway after reporting an engine failure en route. [to] Minna. It seems fatal, ”the country’s aviation minister Hadi Sirika said, confirming the incident in a statement.
AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT
This is to confirm that a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Beechcraft KingAir B350i plane crashed on its way back to Abuja airport after reporting an engine failure en route from Minna. First responders are on the scene. Sadly, all 7 staff on board died in the crash
– Vice Air Marshal Ibikunle Daramola (@ KunleDaramola3) February 21, 2021
In a follow-up communication Sunday afternoon, an Aviation Ministry spokesman James Odaudu said that “the plane reported an engine failure at 10:39 a.m. and crashed into the final approach course for runway 22 from Abuja at 10 h 48 UTC. “
Odaudu said firefighters were deployed to the scene to put out a raging fire that engulfed the plane.
An aviation worker who asked not to be named – citing lack of official clearance to speak to the press – told CNN he witnessed the crash.
“The accident happened not far from the track. The pilot tried to return to the runway after take-off, ”he said.
The worker said the pilot diverted the plane to the crash site, which was in a desolate area. He said the plane narrowly avoided warehouses and makeshift settlements around Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport.
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