Nigerian Air Force Launches Search for Crash Recorders

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced the search for the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from its ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State. Ebimobo Ebiowe, NAF's superintendent of standards and evaluation, confirmed this development on Friday, October 9, 2026, during a visit to the crash site.

The FDR captures performance data and system readings throughout a flight, while the CVR records cockpit audio, including crew communications. Recovery efforts have been complicated by difficult terrain, prompting Chief of Naval Staff Idi Abbas to direct the Nigerian Navy's hydrographic department to deploy personnel and advanced sonar-scanning equipment to the crash site.

This decision was made due to the swamp's high turbidity, which has severely limited underwater visibility, making it challenging for divers to locate submerged aircraft parts. The sonar equipment aims to provide an underwater view of the crash area to assist recovery teams.