NEWS RELEASE
NSIB Begins Onsite Investigation into Ilorin Crash-Landing, Data Card Recovered

[Abuja, Nigeria, May 24, 2025]

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has begun an on-site investigation into the crash-landing of a Diamond training aircraft operated by the Aviation Training School. The incident occurred at 17:28 local time on May 23, 2025, during a simulated instrument approach on Runway 05 at General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin.
NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., visited the crash site today, May 24, 2025, to assess the situation and oversee the initial phase of the investigation. He confirmed that the aircraft’s data card has been recovered and that analysis has commenced.
“Our investigators are on ground and have begun work in earnest. The damaged aircraft is positioned on the left side of the runway, and recovery operations are nearly complete. Four of our specialists will remain at the site to complete critical measurements before returning to Abuja,” said Captain Badeh Jr.
The data card will be analysed at NSIB’s transport safety laboratory to support the Bureau’s findings and inform safety recommendations. A preliminary report will be released within 30 days.
Captain Badeh Jr. emphasised the Bureau’s commitment to a thorough and transparent process:
“Our job is to determine what happened, to whom it happened, how it happened, and most importantly, how to prevent it from happening again.”
He also confirmed that both occupants of the aircraft are conscious and coherent. One has undergone an MRI scan, and both are receiving appropriate medical care.
“They are conscious, coherent, and in stable condition,” he said.
Captain Badeh Jr. assured the public that the country’s airspace remains safe. NSIB will provide further updates as the investigation progresses.

Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji
Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance,
Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau

###

About NSIB: The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau is a multimodal transport agency charged with promoting transport safety and conducting objective, comprehensive, and accurate investigations into transport accidents and incidents in Nigeria. We aim to identify probable causes and advocate for safety improvements based on our findings.

For further enquiries or media requests, please contact NSIB through info@nsib.gov.ng and NSIB_Nigeria on its social media platforms. The Bureau can also be reached on its emergency line at +234-807-709-0909.

Download this Publication => “2025.pdf