Ondo Crash: How Pilot Saved Community – Gov Aiyedatiwa

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Wednesday visited the site of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, two days after the tragedy, saying the pilot’s final actions saved the coastal community from a far greater disaster.

The governor, who inspected the crash site alongside military personnel and emergency responders, said accounts from residents indicated that the aircraft developed trouble before going down but was skilfully manoeuvred away from the town.

According to him, the pilot prevented what could have resulted in massive casualties by steering the aircraft into a swampy area about 200 metres away from the community.

“I also thank God that the aircraft did not crash in the middle of the community. That would have been a major catastrophe for the entire area,” Aiyedatiwa said.

“From accounts given by residents, they saw the aircraft descending with what sounded like an engine problem. It was coming down and almost appeared set to crash within the community.

“However, the pilot was able to manoeuvre the aircraft and bring it down about 200 metres away from the community before it went into the swampy area.”

The governor described the incident as a national tragedy and expressed sadness over the loss of military personnel aboard the aircraft.

He said there was no indication that anyone survived the crash, adding that rescue teams had continued search and recovery efforts since Monday.

Aiyedatiwa said he visited the location with personnel of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ondo State Emergency Management Agency and local divers involved in the operation.

“It is a sad story,” he said. “We saw a gory sight at the location.”

The governor disclosed that body parts, clothing belonging to Air Force personnel and fragments of the aircraft had been recovered from the swamp.

“Some body parts had been recovered and preserved for further investigation. Some clothes, jackets belonging to the Air Force personnel, and parts of the broken aircraft were also found.

“Unfortunately, the main body of the aircraft has not been sighted. It is submerged in the swamp.”

He explained that the difficult terrain had hampered rescue efforts, prompting the state government to deploy two swamp excavation machines, known as Swamp Buggies, to create access routes to the crash site.

“When we realised there was no real access to the location, I directed the Ministry of Works to deploy two swamp machines, known as Swamp Buggies, to create wider access on the waterways,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa noted that the machines had improved access to the area, enabling larger boats and rescue teams to reach the site as divers continued the search for the wreckage.

The governor commiserated with President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Air Force and families of the victims, describing the deceased as gallant officers who died in service to the nation.

The aircraft crashed into a swampy area near Igbokoda on Monday while on a mission from Benin to Lagos. Search teams have yet to recover the main wreckage as rescue and recovery operations continue. (Daily trust)