The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the site of the ATR-42 aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.
Ejodame said technical teams from the NAF and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had confirmed that the recovered recorder was intact.
He added that part of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), commonly known as the black box, had also been recovered, while efforts to locate and retrieve the remaining portion were ongoing.
According to him, additional aircraft wreckage, engine components and human remains had also been retrieved from the crash site.
He said recovery operations were continuing despite the challenging swamp terrain, as teams worked to recover the outstanding components and make them available for technical examination.
“The investigation is being conducted with due diligence to ensure comprehensive, evidence-based findings,” he said.
Ejodame explained that the recovery exercise also involved the careful handling of human remains, with the Directorate of Identification and Classification (DIC) carrying out the necessary procedures to establish the identities of the victims.
He added that the Air Force had maintained contact with the families of those who died in the accident, recognising their need for information and support.
The NAF also acknowledged environmental concerns raised by residents of the host community, noting that engagement with relevant authorities remained part of its response to the incident.
The Air Force appealed for patience and understanding from the public, explaining that the recovery and investigation processes required time, coordination and professional attention.
It said the objective of the investigation was not only to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash but also to identify lessons that could strengthen flight safety and protect the lives of personnel and citizens.
The aircraft, an ATR-42 with registration number NAF 931, crashed in a swampy area near Igbokoda in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on October 5, 2026.
It was on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13 a.m.
All 25 people on board, comprising 20 passengers and five crew members, died in the accident.
President Bola Tinubu subsequently declared three days of national mourning, while recovery and investigation operations continued at the crash site.
NAN
