A Nigerian Air Force FT-7NI trainer aircraft has crashed in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. The incident happened on Friday evening, while on a routine training exercise.
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.
He said two pilots onboard the aircraft survived and were being observed in a military facility. “Luckily, the two pilots on board survived the crash after successfully ejecting from the aircraft. Additionally, there was no loss of lives or damage to any property around the area of impact.
“Both pilots are currently under observation at NAF Base Hospital, Makurdi. Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has constituted a Board of Inquiry to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash,” he said.
The FT-NI is a trainer version of the F-7N Airguard built by China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group.
In 2015 Nigerian government approved the procurement of 12 single seat F-7NI (NAF 800-811) and three trainer FT-7NI (NAF 812-814) for the Nigerian Air force in a $251 million deal with China, and by 2008 the first set of Nigerian Air Force pilots had commenced training on the aircraft in China.
Delivery of the aircraft commenced in 2009 and finished 2010.
Over the years, the F-7N fleet has been involved in a series of fatal accidents.
In March 22, 2011 NAF lost the first F-7NI ( Single seat), The aircraft was taking off from 303 Flying Training School at Kano’s Mallam Aminu International Airport when it failed to lift off, crashed and exploded. The pilot, Group Captain Enny Bibinu Saleh, unfortunately died in the crash.
Two months later in May 11, that same year, NAF lost the first FT-7NI (twin seat trainer), the aircraft crashed near a school at Mbaniongu Mbazaam in Benue State, but no casualties were recorded. Both pilots successfully ejected from the aircraft.
Exactly about a year later in May 5, 2012, A NAF F-7NI crashed in the vicinity of Kaduna Airport, a Search and Rescue Team from the Nigerian Air Force’s 301 Flying Training School at Kaduna immediately rescued the pilot, who ejected successfully, 3 aircraft’s in two years.
In October 10, 2015, a NAF F-7NI involved in counter insurgency operations crashed in the the vicinity of Yola Airport in Adamawa state, “Mr. Alonge, an Air Commodore, said the F7-Ni fighter jet, with registration number, NAF801, was ‘returning to base from an interdicted mission when it crashed around Hong, in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State’.
Apparently due to poor weather conditions.
NAF lost an F7-NI and an FT-7NI around Katampe Hills in Abuja, in September 29, 2018. The aircrafts collided mid air during a rehearsal for Nigeria’s 58th Independence Day anniversary celebration holding on Monday, October 1st.
It was, however, gathered that the all 3 pilots were able to eject before the crash, but one of them unfortunately lost his life in the process. The double seat trainer involved in this accident was NAF 812.
By 2018, the NAF had lost 6 out of 15 aircraft, 2 trainer versions and 4 single seat versions. The remaining 9 aircraft’s were no longer operational by 2020.
In Nov 2020 the NAF set out to reactivate seven aircrafts, five were sent to OEM in China for heavy maintenance and Life extension upgrades, while the remaining two aircraft will be done locally.
Last year, Nigeria took delivery of all 5 aircraft’s sent to China plus an extra FT-7NI (trainer version) NAF 815, this new aircraft was reportedly a gift from the OEM.