What happened
On October 25, 2012, at approximately 17:48 h, a Cessna Caravan 208B, registered as 5N-BMJ, began a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight from Jalingo to Yola. The aircraft was carrying four people, consisting of one crew member and three passengers. Shortly after departure, the Jalingo Airport Manager notified the Yola Control Tower that the flight was en route.
During the approach phase, the pilot established contact with the Yola Control Tower at 18:25 h, stating that the airfield was in sight. The controller instructed the pilot to proceed with the approach and report when on final approach, noting calm wind conditions. The pilot acknowledged these instructions. At 18:27 h, the controller confirmed visual contact with the aircraft and reiterated the instructions for the final approach.
At 18:30 h, the tower lost visual contact with 5N-BMJ. Subsequent attempts to communicate with the aircraft via radio were unsuccessful. At 18:37 h, reports emerged from witnesses regarding an aircraft impact near the Yola-Numan road, specifically in the vicinity of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) depot.
Local residents reached the wreckage and rescued the occupants before airport emergency services arrived. The survivors were transported to the Federal Medical Centre in Yola for medical care. The accident occurred during dusk, and the aircraft was destroyed upon impact.
Findings
No specific findings regarding the technical cause of the crash were provided in the source material.