Uyo Crash: Pilots Discharged From Hospital

Two Nigerian Air force pilots who survived an air crash at Uyo airport last Friday have been discharged from the hospital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a Nigerian Air Force L-39 Jet trainer aircraft from the 303 Flying Training School, Kano, on a routine training exercise from Calabar to Uyo crashed at 7.30 p.m. on October 28, 50 metres from Uyo airport.

Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Sunday that shortly after the accident, the two pilots were rushed to the hospital for checks.

He said after the checks, they were discharged and certified fit.

He said the Chief of Air Staff had sent an investigation team to the scene of the crash.

“As in line with the tradition of the Air Force, the moment any aircraft accident occurs, immediately the Chief of Air Staff will dispatch safety investigators to the scene of the accident.

“And they have been at the site. And they were even able to move some of the aircraft parts that were in the premises of the airport; they were moved to a safe place awaiting further investigations.” Anas said in spite of the accident, the morale of pilots and other members of air crew would not be affected as the Air Force would continue with its programmes, including a fly past at the 7th Nigerian Air Force games taking place in Calabar and Uyo, simultaneously.

On the games, Yusuf said it was aimed at selecting a team that would represent the Nigeria Air Force at the Armed Forces Games scheduled for next year.

Anas said the games would also bring residents in their operational areas closer to personnel of the Air Force.