What happened
A twin-engine aircraft was performing a flight from Abuja toward Obudu with a total of 18 people on board, consisting of three crew members and 15 passengers. During the approach to the destination, the flight crew began their descent while operating in adverse weather conditions characterized by low visibility and a low cloud ceiling. The aircraft subsequently struck hilly terrain located approximately 29 km northwest of Obudu, near Vande Ikya.
The accident resulted in 13 fatalities and left five individuals injured. Among those who lost their lives were several high-ranking military officers who were traveling to Obudu to conduct an inspection of military equipment.
Findings
Investigations into the crash determined that the incident was a result of controlled flight into terrain. The crew began the descent phase of the flight prematurely, which led the aircraft to descend to an altitude lower than the minimum safety requirements prescribed for the area.