From 1980 to Ondo: 10 Major NAF Crashes in 46 Years
A Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 25 military personnel and civilians crashed in Ondo State on Monday, killing all those on board.
The crash ranks among the deadliest military aviation accidents in Nigeria in recent years and has renewed attention on the history of major air accidents involving Nigerian military aircraft.
Below is a timeline of some of the notable Nigerian Air Force crashes since 1980:
1980 — Fokker F27 crash
A Nigerian Air Force Fokker F27 aircraft travelling from Lagos to São Tomé crashed at Forcados in present-day Delta State on May 26, 1980.
The aircraft was carrying a Nigerian delegation comprising government officials, military officers and journalists. All 30 people on board were killed.
1992 — C-130H Hercules crash
On September 26, 1992, a Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Lagos airport at Ejigbo, Lagos State.
The aircraft was carrying mainly military personnel. All 159 people on board were killed, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Nigeria’s history.
1997 — Dornier training aircraft crash
A Nigerian Air Force Dornier Do 128 training aircraft crashed on February 24, 1997, about three kilometres from Kaduna airport.
All three people aboard the aircraft were killed.
2000 — Dornier crash in Warri
On October 26, 2000, a Dornier Do 128 aircraft crashed while approaching Warri Airport in Delta State.
All six people on board died in the accident.
2006 — Dornier 228 crash in Benue
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On September 17, 2006, a Nigerian Air Force Dornier 228 military transport aircraft carrying 15 senior Army officers and three crew members crashed in Benue State.
Three people survived the crash, while 15 others were killed.
2015 — Dornier 228 crash in Kaduna
A Nigerian Air Force Dornier 228 aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from a military air base in Kaduna in September 2015.
The aircraft lost control and crashed into a house within a military cantonment. All seven people aboard were killed.
2019 — Attack helicopter crash
On January 2, 2019, an attack helicopter supporting troops engaged in counter-insurgency operations in northeastern Nigeria crashed.
All five people aboard were killed.
2021 — Beechcraft King Air crash
On February 21, 2021, a Nigerian Air Force Beechcraft King Air aircraft crashed while travelling to Abuja after suffering an engine failure.
The seven people aboard were killed. The aircraft had been scheduled to support a reconnaissance mission ahead of an operation to rescue abducted schoolgirls, according to the Nigerian Air Force.
2021 — Kaduna crash that killed Attahiru
On May 21, 2021, another Nigerian Air Force Beechcraft King Air aircraft crashed while attempting to land in Kaduna in bad weather.
All 11 people aboard were killed, including the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru.
2026 — Ondo crash
In the latest tragedy, a Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 25 military personnel and civilians crashed in Ondo State on October 5, 2026.
All 25 people on board were killed.
The cause of the crash is expected to be established through an investigation by the relevant aviation and military authorities.
APF
