By Baron Ike
A pilot who was the only occupant of a Nigerian Airforce (NAF) aircraft died on Thursday, August 24 when the plane reportedly crashed in Kaduna.
Airforce authorities confirmed the ugly incident through their spokesperson, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, in a terse statement.
Commodore Adesanya said the cause of the crash was unknown and that investigation is underway.
He wrote: “A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air Beetle Aircraft today crashed in Kaduna while on a mission.
“The only soul on board the aircraft, one of the NAF’s experienced instructor pilots, was unfortunately lost during the mishap. The cause of the incident is unknown but the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) has immediately directed the constitution of a board of inquiry to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.
“The unfortunate incident is a tragic reminder of the hazards associated with the flying profession. The CAS and the entire NAF family commiserate with the relatives of the late instructor pilot.”