What happened
On May 24, 2011, at approximately 11:54 h, a Beechcraft C90, registered as N364UZ, departed from Old Kaduna (Military) airport. The aircraft, operated by Shoreline Energy International Limited, was conducting a test flight under visual flight rules (VFR) with two people on board. The flight was equipped with three hours of fuel endurance.
During the initial climb, witnesses observed that the aircraft was struggling to gain altitude. An eyewitness reported hearing unusual engine noises, while a local farmer noted the aircraft appeared to be oscillating in altitude accompanied by fluctuating engine sounds. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft struck a mango tree, causing it to spin and descend.
At 11:59 h, the aircraft impacted farmland located 878 meters short of Runway 23. The impact was followed by a post-crash fire that consumed the wreckage. Although local farmers and military personnel attempted rescue operations, the two fatalities were confirmed at the scene. Emergency response from Dornier Aviation Nigeria AIEP (DANA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was hindered by the lack of direct access between the runway and the crash site, which delayed the arrival of firefighting units.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) at the time of the accident.
- Engine performance issues were noted by witnesses through unusual sounds and the aircraft's inability to maintain a steady climb.
- The crash site was located significantly short of the runway threshold.