What happened
During an en-route flight from Kano to Lagos, the crew encountered deteriorating meteorological conditions characterized by low visibility and turbulence associated with cumulonimbus clouds. To navigate around this low-pressure system, the captain elected to alter the planned route and reduce the aircraft's altitude. Shortly after these adjustments, the airplane struck treetops and impacted the ground in a wooded area.
The accident resulted in the deaths of all 22 occupants aboard the aircraft. The passenger manifest included four civilians, medical staff, and engineers. Additionally, one individual on the ground was killed in the crash. The flight crew consisted of six members, including two pilots, a navigator, an observer, a radio operator, and an airframe mechanic.
Findings
Investigations into the incident highlighted significant issues with the navigational materials used by the flight deck. It was reported that the charts utilized by the crew contained errors, rendering them partially incorrect and unreliable. Specifically, the altitude data presented on these documents was found to be false, which likely contributed to the loss of situational awareness regarding terrain clearance.