Two pilots successfully bailed out as their Nigerian Air Force FT-7NI trainer aircraft crashed, Friday evening in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet.
According to Gabkwet, the incident occurred at about 4.15pm while the aircraft was on a routine training exercise.
Happily, the two pilots survived the crash.
The statement said both pilots were taken to the NAF Base Hospital, Makurdi, for observation.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Gabkwet further disclosed, has constituted a board of inquiry to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.
The statement reads: “A Nigerian Air Force FT-7NI trainer aircraft crashed today, 14 July 2023 at about 4.15pm in Makurdi, Benue State, while on a routine training exercise.”
“Luckily, the 2 pilots on board survived the crash after successfully ejecting from the aircraft.
“Additionally, there was no loss of lives or damage to any property around the area of impact.”
Both pilots, he concluded, are currently under observation at NAF Base Hospital, Makurdi, adding:
“Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has constituted a board of inquiry to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.”