An Associated Aviation (SCD) Embraer EMB-120, (MCN 120174 | 5N-BJY) operating as a charter flight from Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport to Akure (Nigeria), crashed shortly after takeoff from runway 18L yesterday at 09h32L. The turboprop was carrying 13 passengers and 7 crew onboard of whom 13 have been confirmed dead with one unaccounted for. Survivors were taken to hospital in downtown Lagos. According to Panapress, the manifest was listed as follows:
Crew members:
- Capt. Yakubu
- Engineer Soroh Elaiye
- Technician Felix Tatoye
- Flight Officer Oyinlola
- Flight Dispatcher Ibrahim
- Cabin Attendant Owolabi
- Cabin Attendant Samson
- Feyi Agagu
- Femi Akinsanya
- Akintunde Joseph
- Akeem Akintunde
- Tunji Okunsanya
- Chijioke Duru
- Kingsley Amaechi
- Mrs E.O. Alabi
- Daji Bernard
- Deji Falae
- Samson Hassan
- Olatunji Okunsanya
- Deji Afolabi
The aircraft had also been transporting the corpse of Governor of South-west Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, who died last month and was to be buried on Friday in the state.
In a statement, the Federal Aviation Agency Nigeria (FAAN) said the aircraft lost height shortly after takeoff with its black boxes having now been recovered.
"The rescue operation commenced immediately with all the relevant agencies moving [together] to the crash site. Some of the survivors are already receiving treatment at the hospital while [the] rescue operation is still in progress."
Nigeria's Accident Investigation Board has opened an investigation.
Associated also has a further two (grounded) EMB-120s on its register along with an Embraer ERJ 145.