Ibadan Plane Crash: How Minister Adebayo Adelabu,12 Other Passengers Escaped Death

In a harrowing incident at the Ibadan, Oyo State airport, the Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, along with 12 passengers and flight crew, narrowly escaped a tragic fate as their HS 125 aircraft, registered as 5N-AMM and operated by Flint Aero, crashed. The incident unfolded around 08:21 p.m. yesterday.

The aircraft had earlier taken off from Abuja at 6:41 p.m. and was on its way to Ibadan. Remarkably, the crisis ended without any fatalities, even though the aircraft sustained significant damage during the crash.

According to information gathered, the pilot had been granted clearance for an RNAV approach to Runway 22 at Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan. However, the plane skidded off the runway during landing. Swift and efficient action by the flight crew ensured that all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated.

In a chat with one of the Minister’s aides, it was reported that Mr. Adelabu remained calm and in high spirits, downplaying the incident as a minor one. The aide stated, “The Minister was particularly not worried by the incident because it did not involve any of the passengers leaving with any injury. Everyone on board the aircraft when the incident happened actually alighted without any problem, and we have no cause to worry.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an investigation into the accident. In a statement, James Odaudu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NSIB, confirmed the accident and disclosed that the agency had initiated an inquiry. The aircraft, carrying 10 passengers and three crew members, was en route to Ibadan from Abuja. Odaudu said, “The aircraft, on final approach to landing on Runway 22, Ibadan Airport, crashed short of the runway. There was no fatality as all passengers and crew were safely evacuated.”

NSIB is seeking assistance from the public, asking for video clips, relevant evidence, or information that may aid in their investigation. They also urged the public and press to respect the privacy of those involved and refrain from making assumptions about the cause of the incident until a formal report is released. NSIB committed to releasing the preliminary report as soon as possible.

In the history of Nigerian aviation, several air crashes have been recorded, with government functionaries, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, having faced near-death experiences in aviation incidents. It is a stark reminder of the ongoing safety challenges in the nation’s aviation sector.