(File copy of NAF helicopter)
By Chuks Okoh
One of the helicopters in the Presidential Fleet operated by the Nigerian Air Force with four occupants crashed while taking off at the tarmac of the Presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
The chopper is a Super Puma aircraft in the fleet of the Air Force . Aviation authorities have confirmed the accident but could not give details because they do not regulate military aviation .
The helicopter, with registration number 5N-GEJ reportedly crashed about 11am on (Friday) at the presidential lounge of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
It was leant that the helicopter which crashed in the vicinity of the lounge had one of its wing reportedly detached from the rotor engine forcing it to drop.
According to a source the people injured in the helicopter are currently receiving treatment at the NAF Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos.
Those onboard who sustained degrees of injuries include the pilot, a copilot and two passengers.
The identities of the two passengers are yet to be ascertained. The two pilots are said to be officers of the Nigerian Air Force.
According to a source, the helicopter brought in some military personnel to Lagos who alighted at the presidential wing .
Shortly after the military personnel alighted the rotors ( Blade ) of the helicopter was still rolling , as the chopper was taking of, the chopper crashed igniting fire .
The source hinted that fire fighting personnel attached to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) rushed to the scene to put out the fire .
Though NAF claimed the aircraft was being used for training, It was learnt that it crashed landed immediately after take off.It was learnt that one of the blades of the helicopter broke, leading to inferno.
However, timely response from the emergency agencies stationed at the airport saved the lives of the four occupants, who were immediately taken away by NAF personnel.
When contacted, the spokesman, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for the southwest, Ibrahim Farinloye said the wreckage of the aircraft has been taken off.
He said: “One of the helicopter in the presidential fleet crashed landed immediately after take off in the MMIA with two pilots and two passengers.
“They sustained minor injuries due to the prompt response by emergency responders including that of the Airport fire services.
“The fire was put out quickly in order to rescue the trapped victims, thus no life was lost.The NAF has since removed the wreckage of the crashed chopper.”
Also reacting to the incident, NAF’s Director of Public Relations (DOPRI), Air Commodore DJ Alonge, admitted there was a mishap but stressed that no life was lost.He said, “A Super Puma helicopter belonging to the Nigerian Air Force on training mission in Lagos at about 10am returning to the Apron after the completion of the training exercise suffered severe damage.
“The damage was due to hydraulic failure in taxi to the hangar. There was no casualty recorded, however, the main rector debris caused damage to some ground equipment.
“Consequently, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal AN Amosun has ordered immediate investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the accident.”
