13 fatalities

Aircraft Crash Near Obudu: 13 Killed in Terrain Impact (NAF033)

Vande Ikya, NigeriaLanding (descent or approach)

On September 17, 2006, a Dornier DO228 (registration NAF033) operated by Nigerian Air Force was involved in an aviation accident near Vande Ikya, Nigeria during landing or approach. 13 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain after the crew initiated the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to descend below the minimum prescribed altitude. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft crashed into hilly terrain near Obudu after an early descent in poor weather, killing 13 of 18 occupants and injuring five.

Incident Overview and Casualties A twin-engine aircraft was operating a flight from Abuja to Obudu when it struck hilly terrain near Vande Ikya, located approximately 29 kilometers northwest of Obudu. The aircraft was carrying 15 passengers and a crew of three. Thirteen occupants were killed in the accident, while five others sustained injuries. Among the fatalities were several high-ranking officers who were traveling to Obudu to conduct an inspection of military equipment. ## Weather Conditions and Accident Sequence At the time of the accident, visibility was poor due to a low ceiling. The pilots initiated the descent in these poor weather conditions. The aircraft subsequently impacted the terrain. ## Official Findings The official investigation determined that the probable cause was controlled flight into terrain. The crew initiated the descent prematurely, which caused the aircraft to descend below the minimum prescribed altitude.