The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has established a 12-member Aircraft Accident Investigation Board to determine the cause of the crash involving its ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, at Igobkoda, Ondo State, on October 5, 2026.
The board is expected to examine the technical, operational and human factors that may have contributed to the incident, as search and recovery operations continue under the direction of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
According to the statement, Air Vice Marshal FO Ankeli will serve as president of the investigation board, while Air Vice Marshal EOE Ebiowe, head of the Investigation and Recovery Team, is coordinating the broader response to the crash.
The board comprises specialists in aviation operations, flight safety, piloting, air traffic control, aircraft engineering and maintenance. Representatives of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) are also part of the investigative team.
The Air Force said the inclusion of experts from different aviation disciplines was intended to ensure a thorough and impartial examination of the circumstances surrounding the accident.
As part of its assignment, the board will collect, document and preserve relevant evidence while examining possible operational, technical, environmental, human and organisational factors linked to the crash.
The NAF stressed that determining the immediate and underlying causes of the incident would require a systematic investigation, warning against drawing premature conclusions before the process is completed.
Beyond the investigation, the military said it had activated measures to assist families affected by the tragedy.
A dedicated helpline has been established at the Office of the Director of Veterans Affairs to provide families with timely information, while administrative arrangements have been initiated to deliver practical assistance and other necessary support.
The Air Force also acknowledged public interest in the incident and pledged to release updates as verified information becomes available.
It added that the investigation’s findings would guide appropriate safety recommendations aimed at addressing any shortcomings identified during the process.
The crash has drawn attention to the importance of accountability and safety oversight in military aviation, with the outcome of the investigation expected to provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding the loss of the aircraft.
However, the NAF maintained that no definitive conclusion could be reached until the board had completed its work and its findings had been properly evaluated.
