From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Relief and assurances have trailed the emergency landing of a training aircraft belonging to the International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin, as Kwara State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, expressed gratitude for the survival of the two crew members involved.
The incident, which occurred on Friday, May 23, 2025, saw the aircraft forced into an emergency landing during a routine training exercise. Both the pilot and instructor onboard sustained non-fatal injuries and were immediately taken to a medical facility in Ilorin where they are receiving treatment.
Speaking on the development, Hajia Kawu commended the swift response by the college and healthcare workers, noting that the prompt intervention helped prevent a more tragic outcome.
Related News
“We are grateful to God that no lives were lost. The professionalism displayed by the college management and emergency responders was commendable,” she said. “This incident reinforces the need for strict adherence to safety protocols and continuous emergency preparedness in our aviation institutions.”
She added that the state government has launched a full-scale investigation into the incident, promising that appropriate safety measures would be implemented based on the findings.
“The Kwara State Government remains committed to the safety of all residents and will not relent in supporting institutions to uphold the highest standards of safety,” she stated. She also conveyed the goodwill of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to the injured crew, wishing them a speedy recovery.
Providing more insight, the Rector of the college, Captain Yakubu Okatahi, revealed that the mishap occurred during a standard flight training session.
“Our instructor was on a routine training flight when the aircraft had an accident during landing. We thank God that there were no fatalities,” Okatahi said. “They were evacuated promptly and underwent CT scans and MRIs this morning. Thankfully, they are in stable condition.”
He further noted that regulatory and investigative bodies, including the National Safety Investigation Bureau and engineers from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, have completed assessments at the crash site.
“The investigation has been concluded, and we are currently awaiting the final report. The situation is now under control,” he added.
The incident has reignited conversations about the importance of rigorous safety standards in aviation training, even as stakeholders await further details from the authorities.
