Nigeria probes Cessna plane crash

Simon Ateba/Aviation correspondent

Investigators from the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, have been deployed to the site of an air crash involving a Cessna 208 marked 5N-BJM and belonging to Taraba State Government, the agency said on Thursday night.

“The aircraft flying from Jalingo to Yola with 6 souls on board crashed 8 miles to Yola Airport Thursday. Occupants have been evacuated to the hospitals,” said Tunji Oketunbi, AIB spokesperson. “AIB officials will on getting to the site as soon as possible commence investigations. Further information will be relayed as available,” Oketunbi said.

According to Joe Obi, Media Assistant to the Minister of Aviation, “An aircraft, Cessna 208 with 6 souls on board including crew, operated by the Taraba State Government departed Jalingo, Taraba State for Yola this evening and reported contact with the Yola Control Tower (1720Z) and field in sight at 38 miles estimating landing at 1730Z. The pilot subsequently lost contact with Yola Control Tower and subsequent effort to raise the aircraft failed.”He said search and rescue was immediately activated and site of incident located with all victims alive with various degrees of injuries. “The victims have been evacuated to the hospital for treatment pending further investigation of the incident. This is the correct version of the incident, every other one that is contrary to this is incorrect,” Obi said.