TheNewsGuru

Tag: Crash

  • No survivors in Nairobi-bound crashed plane – Ethiopian Airlines

    No survivors in Nairobi-bound crashed plane – Ethiopian Airlines

    Ethiopian Airlines says there are no survivors on its flight ET302 which crashed on Sunday en route Nairobi from Addis Ababa.

    The airline said the 149 passengers and eight crew members on board the B-737-800MAX with registration number ET- AVJ, all died in the crash.

    According to the airline, there were 33 different nationalities on board.

    The airline had earlier confirmed the crash in a statement posted on its website.

    The statement said: “Ethiopian Airlines regrets to confirm that its flight ET 302/10 March in schedule service from Addis Ababa to Nairobi was involved in an accident today around Bishoftu (Debre Zeit).

    “The aircraft B-737-800MAX with registration number ET- AVJ took off at 8:38 a.m local time from Addis Ababa, Bole International Airport and lost contact at 8:44am.

    ”At this time, search and rescue operations are in progress and we have no confirmed information about survivors or any possible causalities.

    ”Ethiopian Airlines staff will be sent to the accident scene and will do everything possible to assist the emergency services.”

     

  • BREAKING: 157 die as Kenya bound Ethiopian Airlines flight crashes

    Ethiopian Airlines has announced that its flight ET 302/March 10 in schedule service from Addis Ababa to Nairobi was involved in an accident on Sunday around Bishoftu in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia.

    The Airline made the announcement in its Accident Bulletin, posted on its website, www.ethiopianairlines.com on Sunday.

    It said that the aircraft B-737-800MAX with registration number ET- AVJ took off at 8.3 a.m. local time from Addis Ababa, Bole International Airport and lost contact at 8.44 a.m.

    “At this time search and rescue operations are in progress and we have no confirmed information about survivors or any possible causalities.

    “Ethiopian Airlines staff will be sent to the accident scene and will do everything possible to assist the emergency services.

    “It is believed that there were 149 passengers and eight crew onboard the flight but we are currently confirming the details of the passenger manifest for the flight.

    “Ethiopian Airlines is establishing a passenger information center and telephone number will be available shortly for family or friends of those who may have been on flight ET 302/March 10.

    “Ethiopian Airlines will release further information as soon as it is available. Updated information will also be on Ethiopian Airlines website at www.ethiopianairlines.com.

     

  • AIB concludes investigation into Osinbajo’s helicopter crash

    Seventy- two hours after an Agusta AW 139 helicopter flying Vice President Yemi Osibanjo crashed in Kabba, aviation agencies led by Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) have concluded investigations on the ‘ high profile’ accident.

    The completion of investigation came on the heels of gathering of evidence- inspection of the chopper wreckage at the crash site; interview of airline crew- pilots, engineers and other technical personnel, eyewitnesses’ accounts, laboratory testing of broken rotor and other parts of chopper.

    A source closed to the AIB said the preliminary report of the high profile accident will be released in two days but could not give probable cause(s) of the crash.

    A source close to Caverton Helicopters said its insurers have arrived the country to participate in the accident investigation.

    The source hinted the insurers, sought permission from the AIB, to enable them have access to the crash site for valuation of the wreckage and other relevant activity critical to the accident probe.

    Besides the insurers, it was not clear as at Monday if the helicopter manufacturer – Agusta will participate in the accident.

    According to aviation regulations prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), aircraft manufacturers ought to participate in high profile accident investigation to learn useful lessons in preventing any reoccurrence; if there are issues with the equipment design or other technical hitches.

    Speaking in an interview on Monday, AIB’s spokesman, Tunji Oketumbi, said the bureau has concluded preliminary investigation on the crash, which he described as high as ‘ high profile’, because of the status of the occupant in the ill- fated chopper.

    He said an accident could be so described, if the aircraft was carrying many influential people; or there are many multi- nationals.

    This, he said, will however not put any pressure on the AIB, which has so far utilised its internal capacity to discharge the onerous task.

    He said: “So far, the Accident Investigation Bureau has done what is statutorily required of it. We did not require any foreign assistance.

    “We have carried out the relevant findings at the crash site and interviewed the crew and other people relevant to the operation. So, far, the helicopter wreckage has not been removed.”

    He said besides giving flight information- type of aircraft; registration number; number of occupant in the aircraft and circumstances of the accident, the airline should refrain from speculating the cause of the crash.

    Doing such, Oketumbi said would amount to pre-empting the investigation.

  • Osinbajo: AIB commences investigation, deploys team to crash scene

    Accident investigators have been deployed to the scene of the weekend helicopter crash involving Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Kogi State.

    The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) is investigating why and how Agusto Westland AW139 helicopter crash-landed in Kabba.

    AIB spokesman Tunji Oketumbi who confirmed the development said that that besides the assessment of the crash scene, the AIB team will ascertain the cause(s) of the accident.

    The team will also interview the crew – pilots and engineers and other professionals from Caverton Helicopters – that operated the ill-fated chopper.

    The investigators will examine the chopper’s wreckage and other relevant materials connected to its operations.

    Oketumbi said a preliminary report on the accident will be released “in a matter of days”, adding that relevant aeronautical agencies have swung into action to unravel the cause of the crash.

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) reported the crash to the AIB.

    Its General Manager, Public Relations, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, said: “The NCAA has been notified about the incident and we have notified the AIB to begin investigations in line with its mandate.”

    Caverton Helicopters, in a statement by its Managing Director, Capt. Josiah Choms, said aviation agencies had been informed about the incident.

    Choms said: “An Augsto AW139 Helicopter under management by Caverton Helicopters was involved in a mishap on landing in Kabba, Kogi State on February 2, 2019 as a result of unusual weather conditions.

    “There were no injuries to the passengers or crew on board and they were all quickly and safely evacuated. The relevant authorities have been duly informed and an investigation into the incident has commenced. We will, of course, support the authorities as required.

    “We wish to reassure the public and our various stakeholders of our unwavering commitment to safety in all our operations.”

  • Chopper crash: Ooni of Ife glorifies God over Osinbajo’s safety

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has glorified God for saving the lives of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his aides who were involved in a helicopter mishap on Saturday.

    The Ooni expressed his feeling in a statement signed by Mr Moses Olafare, Director, Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Ile-Ife.

    The helicopter in which the vice president and his aides were on a campaign tour crash-landed in Kaba, Kogi, on Saturday.

    Oba Ogunwusi said he rejoiced with all the survivors, their families, the Government and people of Nigeria over the rescue of the vice president and his aides.

    He urged all the politicians to remain unshaken by the incident and continue with their electioneering activities ahead of the Feb 16 and March 2 general elections.

    The royal father wished them Divine grace and protection before, during and after the elections.

    He also prayed for the country’s economic prosperity, security, political stability and peaceful coexistence among the people.

     

  • Crashed helicopter not from presidential air fleet

    The Nigerian Air Force says the Augusta AW139 Helicopter involved in a mishap in Kabba, Kogi, on Feb.2 while conveying Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, does not belong to the Nigerian Air Force or from the Presidential Air Fleet (011 PAF).

    NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, clarified this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    He said that some unscrupulous individuals had even circulated a video showing the crash landing of a military helicopter from an unrelated incident.

    “The NAF wishes to state categorically that the helicopter that crashed in Kabba does not belong to the NAF or 011 PAF.

    “The owners/operators of the civilian helicopter, Messrs Caverton Helicopters, have already issued a statement on the matter.

    “In addition, the military Dauphin Helicopter, painted in desert camouflage colour, seen in the video circulating on social media does not belong to the NAF and should not be misrepresented as belonging to the NAF,” Daramola said.

    He called on the public to disregard such erroneous information and the misleading video.

    “NAF joins the nation in thanking God for sparing the life of the Vice President as well as other passengers and crew members involved in the mishap.

    “We pray for the safety of the Vice President and that all his take-offs will culminate in an equal number of safe landings,” Daramola said.

     

  • NCAA commences investigation on VP’s helicopter crash

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says investigation has began into Saturday’s crash landing of an helicopter conveying Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in Kabba, Kogi State.

    Mr Sam Adurogboye, General Manager, Public Relations, confirmed the development on Sunday in Lagos.

    Adurogboye said the investigation was being conducted by the Accident Investigations Bureau (AIB), the statutory agency saddled with the task of investigating such serious incidents and accidents.

    “The NCAA has been notified about the incident and we have notified the AIB to begin investigations in line with its mandate” Adurogboye said.

    A source also told NAN on the condition of anonymity that the AIB had already deployed its team of investigators to the crash site to ascertain the remote and immediate cause of the incident.

    Also confirming the development, Caverton Helicopters, in a statement signed by its Managing Director, Capt. Josiah Choms, said the relevant aviation agencies had been informed about the incident.

    Choms said “An Augusta AW139 Helicopter, under management by Caverton Helicopters was involved in a mishap on landing in Kabba, Kogi State on Feb. 2 as a result of unusual weather conditions.

    “There were no injuries to the passengers or crew on board and they were all quickly and safely evacuated.

    “The relevant authorities have been duly informed and an investigation into the incident has commenced. We will, of course, support the authorities as required.

    “We wish to reassure the public and our various stakeholders of our unwavering commitment to safety in all our operations,” he said.

    Osinbajo and his entourage had crash landed in Kabba when he visited the town for his Next-Level engagements with the people.

    However, the incident did not deter the Vice President from continuing with his engagements according to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande.

     

  • Crash: Pastor Adeboye says Devil wanted to take Osinbajo’s life

    Crash: Pastor Adeboye says Devil wanted to take Osinbajo’s life

    General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has said the devil wanted to take the life of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. “But God put the devil to shame”.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Pastor Adeboye on Sunday in a live telecast from the RCCG headquarters, Lagos, asked his congregation to rise and give glory to God for saving the life of Osinbajo, whom he described as his son.

    He asked the congregation to specially appreciate God on behalf of the Vice President and all the crew onboard, for his supernatural protection, saying Nigeria would not mourn.

    In his sermon entitled: “Carriers of Glory”, Adeboye said for anybody to carry glory, he must be a true child of God and live a life of holiness.

    Taking his lesson from the Bible in the book of Isiah 60:1-4, he said: “Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
    2 See, darkness covers the earth
    and thick darkness is over the peoples,
    but the Lord rises upon you
    and his glory appears over you.
    3 Nations will come to your light,
    and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

    4 “Lift up your eyes and look about you:
    All assemble and come to you;
    your sons come from afar,
    and your daughters are carried on the hip.

    “As a carrier of glory, anywhere you arrive the darkness will automatically disappear.

    “When God begins to use you, the glory belongs to God and you, so you must learn to always give glory to God.

    “Do not take the glory to yourself because it is not yours, it belongs to God,” Adeboye said.

    Meanwhile, Osinbajo speaking during a thanksgiving service at the RCCG, City of Grace, Lokoja, said that no amount of thanksgiving and praises to God would be enough for saving his life and the nine others in the Saturday’s helicopter crash.

    “Only God can take the glory for saving my life and that of the nine crew members on board,” he said.

    He said that it would have been breaking news on local and international media that Vice President Osinbajo and nine crew members died in a helicopter crash, but God had not allowed such to happen.

    “No amount of thanksgiving and praises to God would be enough for saving my life and nine crew on board.

    “God is the one who can do all things, and only him can take the glory; we return the glory to him.

    “We are here to say thank you, thank you Jesus. We bless his name forever and ever,” he said.

    He prayed God to bless all the people that have celebrated with him in the state, the nation and the world at large.

    “All I have to say is that we are grateful and we are moving to the next level; the Lord will uphold us to the next level and Kogi will be number one,” Osinbanjo said.

     

  • Osinbajo’s helicopter crash: CAN reacts

    The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on Sunday, facilitated with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for surviving an helicopter crash on Saturday in Kabba, Kogi.

    The President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, in a statement in Abuja, issued by his Special Assistant, Media and Communications, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, also appreciated God for Osinbajo’s safety.

    “The leadership of CAN is grateful to God and rejoice with the Federal Government and Osinbajo.

    “We give glory to God for sparing the life of the Vice President and his team from the helicopter crash while mobilising support for his party in preparation for the coming general elections,” he said.

    The cleric recalled that the Vice President had similar experience in 2018 while visiting the Nigeria Customs College in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

    “It is our prayers that God will continue to watch over him and other top government functionaries in Jesus’ Name,” he said.

    Ayokunle urged the technical team or those responsible for the certification of the aircrafts and helicopters in the country used by the government officials to be more meticulous so as to avoid putting their lives in danger.

    “May God continue to watch over our nation, our leaders and its citizens in the name of Jesus,” he said.

    A statement by the Vice President Spokesperson, Laolu Akande, explained: “The Vice President, departed Abuja around 1p.m Saturday on a chopper ride to Kogi State in continuation of the Family Chats & Next Level engagements.

    “Prof. Osinbajo headed first to Kabba, and while landing at the Kabba Stadium, the helicopter suddenly skidded sideways until it halted on its side few metres away from the intended resting spot.

    “Alongside VP Osinbajo, the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Prof. Stephen Ocheni, senior presidential aides, security officials and the crew; there were a total of 12 people on board. everyone came out safely after the incident.

    “The Vice President is continuing the planned engagements in Kogi State as scheduled.”

     

  • NNPC set to crash prices of cooking gas

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Thursday announced its readiness to implement an effective commercial framework that would halt the export of propane and butane, which are major components in the production of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas.

    NNPC’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Ndu Ughamadu, said the move to stop the export of propane and butane which is anchored by the Crude Oil Marketing Division of the corporation would enable the oil firm to boost the supply of LPG to the domestic market, thereby leading to a natural downward slide in the price of the product across the country.

    The NNPC spokesperson quoted the Group General Manager, COMD of the corporation, Mele Kyari, in a statement issued in Abuja as saying, “Currently some of our butane and propane entitlements are exported largely due to a lack of vessels to make sure that these things come into the domestic markets and the absence of a commercial framework.

    “What we are going to do is to make sure we put the right commercial framework in place so that those exports are converted into domestic consumption.”

    Kyari said the division was working in concert with stakeholders to create an environment for in-country production of LPG and cessation of export of the country’s equity butane and propane entitlements due to the absence of in-country vessels for transport and other considerations.

    He said the goal of the division in 2019 was to complete the automation process in the marketing and sale of Nigerian crude oil grades which teed-off in 2017, noting that all hands must be on deck to achieve 100 per cent end-to-end conclusion of the process.