The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has offered to deploy its investigators and Flight Safety Laboratory to assist the Nigerian Air Force in investigating the ATR-42 aircraft accident at Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The bureau said its technical support could include the recovery, readout and analysis of flight recorder data from the aircraft, which was involved in an accident on Monday while reportedly operating a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.
However, the NSIB stressed that it would only participate in the investigation upon a formal request from the Nigerian Air Force, as the accident involved a military aircraft.
In a statement signed by its Director-General Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., the NSIB said, “The Bureau will provide assistance upon a formal request from the Air Force.”
The NSIB said the Nigerian Air Force had activated search and rescue operations in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies.
It commended the search and rescue teams and first responders working at the accident site, while expressing condolences to the Air Force and the families and colleagues of those on board
The bureau urged the public to rely on official information from the Nigerian Air Force concerning the rescue operation and investigation.
It added that any further comment on the accident would be made only when appropriate and in consultation with the Air Force.
