The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash of a Super Mushak trainer aircraft that occurred on Thursday.

This was stated in a press statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet. He said that two pilots survived the accident unhurt on Thursday while they were returning from routine training.

The statement read, “A Nigerian Air Force Super Mushshak trainer aircraft was involved in a minor mishap earlier today, March 7, 2024, at about 2:35 p.m.

“The accident, which occurred about 3.5 nautical miles from Kaduna Military Airfield, involved two pilots who were returning from a routine training flight. Luckily, both pilots came out of the crash unscathed.”

According to Gabkwet, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has ordered a probe into the incident.

He said, “The CAS has since directed a preliminary investigation to ascertain the immediate cause of the crash.”

Nigeria has seen at least 17 military jet crashes in the last nine years, killing a large number of people. The most recent occurred in December 2023, when the Air Force’s MI-35P helicopter crashed in Port Harcourt, injuring five crew members.