NAF recovers more components from Ondo crash site

File: Large sections of the military aircraft that crashed in the Ondo River have been recovered as recovery efforts continue at the crash site

The Nigerian Air Force has recovered additional components from its ATR 42-500 aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as multi-agency teams sustain search and recovery operations at the accident site.

The Air Force disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday, noting that specialist divers from the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau were continuing underwater search and recovery operations in collaboration with its recovery team.

The recovery efforts involve hydrographic surveys, satellite-based search-and-rescue imagery, mud excavation, and pumping out excess water to access areas of interest.

The NAF said the teams were working day and night to locate and retrieve relevant materials for documentation and preservation in support of the ongoing investigation.

“Additional aircraft components have been recovered as efforts continue to locate and retrieve relevant materials for documentation and preservation in support of the ongoing investigation,” the statement said.

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The latest development comes as investigators continue efforts to recover relevant evidence from the crash site to support the investigation into the accident.

The Nigerian Navy’s specialist divers and the NSIB are working alongside the Air Force recovery team to retrieve materials from both underwater and difficult-to-access areas of the site.

The PUNCH journalist, Adebayo, has over 20 years of experience covering politics, health, metro, entertainment and properties

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