It was a sad and premature end for two Nigerian Air Force pilots who had ill-fated flight training on the force’s Super Mushak aircraft.
The authorities of the Nigerian Air Force confirmed that two pilots Flight Lieutenant Abubakar Muhammed Alkali and Flight Lieutenant Elijah Haruna Karatu died in the crash which occurred in Kaduna on Tuesday.
What came as a rude shock to many, but also appeared like having a spiritual connotation was that the two pilot were course mate and had Nigerian Air Force (NAF) service number of NAF 4247 and NAF 4248.
Many persons say the two pilots were good friends and had always been together since their days in and out of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has constituted an Accident Investigation Board to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the Nigerian Air Force Super Mushak crash on Tuesday.
This is just as the NAF Chief has visited the families of the deceased pilots on board the Aircraft Flight Lieutenant Abubakar Muhammed Alkali and Flight Lieutenant Elijah Haruna Karatu, in Kaduna State.
Director Public Relations and Information Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet in a statement said: “The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has stated that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will ensure it thoroughly investigate the cause of the Super Mushshak trainer aircraft crash that occurred yesterday, 19 April 2022 at NAF Base, Kaduna.”
The statement by the DOPRI said Air Marshal Amao stated this when he visited Kaduna to commiserate with families, friends, and colleagues of the 2 pilots, who lost their lives in the tragic accident.
His words: “Air Marshal Amao had constituted an Accident Investigation Board upon receiving the sad news of the crash yesterday, to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.
“While at Kaduna earlier today, he assured the officers, airmen and airwomen of 401 Flying Training School that all measures will be emplaced to avert similar occurrence in the future. “He also reminded them on the need to remain steadfast and focused on their assigned roles and responsibilities in view of the onerous task before the NAF and other security agency to rid the Northwest and indeed the entire Nation of all criminal elements.
“The unfortunate incident of yesterday’s trainer aircraft crash is yet again a tragic reminder of the perilous nature of the military flying profession as well as the risks NAF pilots continually take, daily, to secure Nigeria’s territorial integrity.”
