TheNewsGuru

Tag: Helicopter

  • Chopper company formally addresses Ore road helicopter incident

    Chopper company formally addresses Ore road helicopter incident

    Tropical Arctic Logistics Ltd. (TAL), which operated the chopper that picked an unnamed individual on the Benin-Ore Expressway, says it did not breach any civil aviation regulations.

    TAL’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr Femi Adeniji, made the claim while briefing newsmen on Thursday at the company’s headquarters at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja.

    A video had gone viral on social media of an alleged high profile individual who got stuck in traffic on the road for hours and called a helicopter to pick him.

    Adeniji said that the flight was carried out in collaboration with flying doctors to evacuate the person who needed emergency medical services.

    He said that the company got approval from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency which endorsed the clearance for the flight.

    Adeniji said: “We wish to state that our mission for that flight was to save a life.

    “We immediately swung into action and rushed to the site in record time to pick the individual who is currently recuperating in a hospital.

    “We are a licensed logistics company to carry out medical evacuation operations.

    “We were engaged to airlift an individual who suffered a serious health challenge while caught in traffic and needed emergency evacuation on the day in question.

    “The Benin-Ore road evacuation was conducted in close collaboration with the Nigeria Army and the Nigeria Police.”

    He said that the institutions tried much to clear the gridlock caused by road reconstruction.

    “They directed us to clear a portion of the road where the operation was handled free from any incident,” Adeniji added.

    According to him, the company has yet to receive any queries or communication from Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority regarding the flight.

  • NCAA investigates helicopter’s landing on Benin-Ore Highway

    NCAA investigates helicopter’s landing on Benin-Ore Highway

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it has begun full-scale investigation to ascertain the viral video of the helicopter that landed on the Benin-Ore Expressway on Sunday.

    The General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA, Mr Sam Adurogboye, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a video had gone viral on social media of a high profile individual who was picked up by an helicopter, after being stuck in traffic for hours.

    Adurogboye said that initial reports indicated that the helicopter was owned by Tropical Arctic Logistics Ltd, with registration number 5N – BVQ while the aircraft type was AW139.

    “The pilot was compelled to land between Benin and Ore in an unscheduled diversion to pick up someone.

    “NCAA has begun full scale investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the unscheduled diversion.

    “As soon as the investigation is concluded, the outcome will be made public,” he said.

  • JUST IN: NAF helicopter crashes in Katsina

    The Nigeria Air Force has confirmed the crash of its Helicopter that was returning from a combat mission in Katsina.

    It, however, said no life was lost in the crash which occurred at about 3.30pm today.

    The NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement that the Air Force Chief has ordered a probe of the incident.

    Daramola said:” A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Helicopter has crashed in the process of landing while returning from an anti-armed banditry combat mission in the Northwest Theatre under Operation HADARAN DAJI.

    ” Details of the cause of the incident, which occurred at the Katsina Airport at about 3.30pm today, 12 June 2019, are still scanty. However, there was no loss of life, either of persons on board the helicopter or on the ground.

    ” The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has immediately directed the constitution of a Board of Inquiry to determine the exact cause of the incident.

    ” The NAF continues to solicit the understanding and support of the general public as it daily strives to ensure the security of Nigeria and Nigerians.”

  • 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: Presidency orders probe of crashed helicopter

    …says all 12 on board the crashed helicopter safe

    The presidency on Sunday hinted that a procedural investigation by the aviation authorities will be carried out on Vice President’s Yemi Osinbajo’s helicopter that crash-landed at Kabba, Kogi State on Saturday.

    This was revealed by the Vice President’s spokesman, Laolu Akande.

    According to Akande, a total of 12 people were on board the Vice-President’s chopper.

    Apart from Osinbajo, there was the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Prof Stephen Ocheni, senior presidential aides and the crew

    Akanded stated, “Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, departed Abuja around 1pm today 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.

    “We are grateful to God for His protection and safety, and we thank the crew and security personnel for their prompt response and service. We are also grateful for the tremendous expressions of concern and affection, as well as prayers from all.

    “As is procedural, a full investigation into the causes of the incident would be conducted by aviation authorities.

    “The Vice-President is continuing the planned engagements in Kogi State according to plan.”

  • VP Osinbajo, others survive Helicopter crash

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday survived an helicopter accident at Kabba in Kogi.

    The vice-president was on official trip to Kogi along with some of his aides when the incident occurred.

    All the passengers in the flight survived the accident unhurt but the helicopter was badly damaged.

    Security sources in the presidency confirmed the incident to NAN, saying already, all revelant authorities had been informed of the latest development.

    The vice president and his entourage have continued with their engagement in the state.

  • Buhari mourns Air Force officers who died in helicopter crash

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian Air Force, and relations of five people who lost their lives in a military helicopter crash January 2 in Damasak, Borno State.

    The president mourns Flight Lieutenant Perowei Jacob (Pilot in Command), Flight Lieutenant Kaltho Paul Kilyofas (Co-Pilot), Sergeant Auwal Ibrahim (Flight Technician), Lance Corporal Adamu Nura (Gunner), and Aircraftman Meshack Ishmael (Gunner), who died in the mishap.

    Commiserating with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, President Buhari said it was sad that the fine officers and men lost their lives in the bid to guarantee the safety and protection of their countrymen.

    He said rather than dampen the morale of troops fighting the insurgency in the North-east, the unfortunate development would rather bolster their resolve to completely eliminate all evildoers within the shortest possible time.

    To the families and relations of the dead, President Buhari condoles with them, noting that the dead officers and men were heroes, who paid the supreme price for peace to reign in the country.

  • Why Leicester owner’s helicopter crashed – Investigator

    The helicopter crash which killed Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four other people probably began with a “major failure of the tail rotor”, a senior air investigator said on Wednesday, Metro reports.

    Tony Cable, a former senior investigator at the Air Accident Investigations Branch, assessed poignant footage of the chopper as it descended from the skies at the King Power Stadium on Saturday. Speaking to Sky News’ Kay Burley Show, he alluded to “white pieces” seen “flying off” the helicopter as it left the pitch.

    He said, “There’s quite a number of them. (They) could be part of a rotor blade. It’s certainly a possibility, particularly considering what happens after that, which is when the helicopter starts rotating in the opposite direction from the main rotor. This is what you’d expect if you lose tail rotor thrust.

    “There is then a five or six second period before the helicopter starts rotating. The normal technique [to avoid this] is to cut the power, the power from the main rotor. ‘But this is clearly way out of control. ‘It’s very consistent with a tail rotor failure. I gather there haven’t been any of such on the AW169 (the helicopter).”

    The Leonardo AW169, favoured by executives, millionaires and the emergency services, one of the most advanced in the world. But an experienced helicopter pilot told Leicester Mercury, “If the whole tail rotor shaft goes for instance, the helicopter begins to spin around its main rotors immediately at a tremendous speed.

  • Top military commander, 24 others killed in Afghan helicopter crash

    An army helicopter crashed in southwestern Afghanistan on Wednesday, killing 25 people on board, including a top commander.
    Taliban insurgents fighting the Western-backed government said they shot it down.
    Two army helicopters were on their way from Farah province to neighboring Herat when one lost control in low visibility and crashed into a mountain, Naser Mehri, a spokesman for the provincial governor, told Reuters.
    Among the passengers were Nematullah Khalil, deputy army corps commander for the western region, and Farid Bakhtawar, the outspoken head of Farah’s provincial council.
    The other victims, apart from the crew, were soldiers and council members, Mehri said.
    Bakhtawar was a major figure in battling the Taliban in the battle for the city of Farah which the militants besieged and threatened to take over in May.
    The Taliban are seeking to overthrow the government and re-impose strict Islamic law after their ouster by U.S.-led forces in 2001.

  • Leicester City owner among five dead in helicopter crash

    The owner of Leicester City FC died when his helicopter crashed outside the stadium, the club has confirmed.

    Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, two members of his staff, the pilot and a passenger were killed when the aircraft crashed at about 8:30pm on Saturday, BBC reports
    Witnesses said the helicopter just cleared the King Power Stadium before it spiralled out of control and crashed in a fireball.
    Thousands of bouquets and scarves have already been left outside the ground.
    Leicestershire Police said it believed the dead to be:
    – Thai billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
    – Two members of his staff, Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare.
    – Pilot Eric Swaffer and his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz.
    Mr Vichai, 60, who was married and had four children, bought Leicester City for £39m in 2010.
    Under his ownership the club won the Premier League in 2016, having started the season as 5,000/1 outsiders.
    In a statement, Leicester City said the club’s thoughts were with “the Srivaddhanaprabha family and the families of all those on-board at this time of unspeakable loss”.
    The club described Mr Vichai as “a man of kindness, of generosity and a man whose life was defined by the love he devoted to his family and those he so successfully led”.
    “Leicester City was a family under his leadership. It is as a family that we will grieve his passing and maintain the pursuit of a vision for the club that is now his legacy,” it added.
    A book of condolence will be opened at King Power Stadium from Tuesday morning. The team’s next fixture against Southampton in the EFL Cup, scheduled for Tuesday evening, has been postponed.