Ondo Air Crash: Rescue Teams Intensify Search For Black Box, Human Remains

Search continues one week after Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 crash in Igbokoda reportedly killed all 25 people on board

By Henryrich Ojo | Newsworld

Divers and rescue teams have intensified efforts to recover the flight recorder and victims’ remains one week after a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed into a swamp in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State. The crash, which occurred on October 5, 2026, reportedly killed all 25 people on board. According to a report by Premium Times, recovery teams have retrieved aircraft fragments and human remains, although the condition of the remains has made identification difficult.

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A swamp buggy operator involved in the recovery operation told the newspaper that rescuers recovered part of a body believed to be that of the pilot from a section of the wreckage near a tyre. The operator, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, said the aircraft had been shattered by the impact, leaving little hope of recovering intact bodies. He added that the search had focused on locating the black box, which could provide crucial information about the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Meanwhile, technicians have been assembling flotation equipment for swamp buggies, also known as amphibious excavators, to help the machines navigate the deep, muddy waters and support the ongoing search. A technician explained that the attachments would enable the equipment to remain afloat while operating in the difficult terrain. The recovery operation is continuing as teams work to locate the flight recorder and recover additional remains. Findings from the recorder, once recovered and analysed by the appropriate investigators, could help establish what led to the fatal crash.