Introduction
On 1 August 2023, at 14:54 h, a Jabiru J430 aircraft with registration marks 5N-CCQ, operated by AirFirst Hospitality and Tours Limited, requested start-up for a test flight at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, Nigeria. The flight was planned as a single circuit, with two persons on board: a pilot and an observer. The aircraft had an endurance of five hours.
Flight Sequence
The pilot communicated with the tower, confirming the flight was for one circuit. At 14:57 h, the tower cleared start-up and instructed the pilot to request an altitude. The pilot requested 1,200 ft, but the tower recommended 1,500 ft, which the pilot acknowledged. At 15:18 h, the aircraft was positioned at Dominion hangar, and the pilot requested taxi. The tower held the aircraft due to another aircraft requesting taxi clearance. At 15:25 h, taxi clearance was granted, and the aircraft proceeded to Taxiway Bravo, then to Bravo 1. At 15:31 h, the tower initially cleared the aircraft for four circuits but subsequently cleared it for one circuit at 1,500 ft. At 15:34 h, take-off clearance was given for runway 18L, with instructions to maintain runway heading and report left downwind.
Loss of Power and Crash
At 15:36 h, the aircraft was airborne. At 15:37 h, the tower instructed the aircraft to extend downwind due to traffic on short final for runway 18L. The observer reported that while attempting to comply, the aircraft experienced a sudden and complete loss of engine power. The pilot attempted unsuccessfully to restart the engine. At 15:40 h, tower personnel observed the aircraft losing altitude on the downwind leg. Multiple calls to the aircraft went unanswered. At 15:41 h, the tower activated the crash alarm. The aircraft crashed on a busy street in a populated area in Ikeja, Lagos.
Injuries and Rescue
The pilot and observer were rescued by passers-by. The pilot sustained serious injuries, while the observer sustained minor injuries. The Airport Rescue and Fire Service (ARFFS) arrived at the accident site at 16:00 h. The wreckage was found disintegrated.
Investigation
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) issued this interim statement on 1 August 2025. The draft final report is being compiled and requires an engine tear-down to determine the reason for the sudden loss of power. The accident occurred in daylight under visual meteorological conditions.