No fewer than seven person feared dead when a military aircraft reportedly crashed close to Abuja airport.
The seven people who are on board comprised two crew members and five passengers.
The aircraft, a NAF201 B350, was said to be Minna, Niger State bound when it developed technical problem.
According to officials of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the Boeing 350 jet had reported engine failure at about 10.39am before the crash.
According to reports, the aircraft would have crashed into residential areas if not for the intervention of the pilot who ensured the plane crashed into a nearby bush.
The Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika tweeted minutes ago stating that the aircraft was a military plane.
He wrote, “A military aircraft King Air 350 has just crashed short of our Abuja runway after reporting engine failure enroute Minna. It appears to be fatal. We should remain calm & wait for the outcome of investigation by the military, while we pray for the departed soul/souls if any.”
AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT
— LiveTimesNG (@daresun2013) February 21, 2021
This is to confirm that a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft crashed while returning to the Abuja Airport after reporting engine failure enroute Minna. First responders are at the scene. Sadly, all 7 personnel on board died in the crash pic.twitter.com/QUVf2CtSLz
A statement circulating online reads: This is to confirm that a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft crashed while returning to the Abuja Airport after reporting engine failure enroute Minna. First responders are at the scene. Sadly, all 7 personnel on board died in the crash. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao, has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. While urging the general public to remain calm and await the outcome of investigation, the CAS, on behalf of all NAF personnel, commiserates with the families of the deceased.
