Sanwo-Olu Visits Site as Aircraft Crashes in Lagos

•No casualty recorded 

•NSIB commences investigation

Chinedu Eze in Lagos and Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday evening visited the site of the helicopter crash in the state and commended the efforts of all the first responders as well as residents who joined in the rescue mission.

Also, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced investigation into the accident involving a Jabiru J430, a light single airplane with nationality and Registration Marks 5N-CCQ operated by Air First Hospitality and Tours.

The single engine fixed wing – Jabiru aircraft with two passengers on board crash-landed into an old communication pole inward Ikeja Bus Stop on Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja Lagos at about 4 pm.

The two occupants of the helicopter were rescued and are being attended to at the hospital.

 Speaking to journalists after assessing the site of the private helicopter crash, Sanwo-Olu, who stopped at the site on his way from the airport after joining President Bola Tinubu on a trip to Benin Republic, said no lives were lost in the unfortunate incident.

Sanwo-Olu thanked God that the incident did not result in any fatality, saying the extensive investigation into the incident would be carried out by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

 The governor commended the Lagos State Emergency Management services, which cleared the road of debris from the helicopter. He also praised residents of the neighborhood and two individuals – Oluwafemi and Opeyemi – who participated in putting out the fire from the aircraft after it crash-landed.

 He said: “There was an unfortunate helicopter crash on the road of Oba Akran right in the middle of the road. It was a single-engine helicopter that had two passengers on board.  The two passengers on board have been rescued. They are currently at a hospital and are receiving treatment as we speak.

“We do not know the cause of the helicopter crash. That would be done by experts at the NSIB, which is an investigative bureau. But we are thankful that we got a very quick response both from Lagos State Emergency Service (LASEMA) and all the residents of the neighborhood, especially two very gallant citizens; Oluwafemi and Opeyemi.

While everybody was running away, Opeyemi and Oluwafemi were the very first people that looked for water from the and they were able to also help to rescue the two passengers that were inside the helicopter.

“We could see that the crash site had been secured. All the wreckage has been evacuated and moved into a truck right. It would be transported officially and handed over to the Nigerian Aviation Authority where I am sure necessary investigations would be done.

 “We are thankful to all the residents and all of you that came out very quickly and were able to rescue the occupants. Thanks to workers at the fuel station because where the crash happened was a gas line.”

Eye witness account indicated that the crash took place  at 1441 hours (2:41 pm) while on descent of 1,500 feet during a test making circuit and at the time of the crash.

THISDAY learnt that the aircraft, which departed the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, developed fault just a few minutes after take-off and descended at 1,500ft; so the pilot decided to drop the aircraft on the way at Oba Akran and because of its size easily maneuvered it to land on the road instead of crashing into buildings.

 The aircraft was on a test flight within Lagos.

However, the NSIB, in a statement yesterday, by its Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, James Odaudu stated, “the NSIB, hereby, solicits information from the general public in form of pictures, video or recording evidences to assist in conducting a comprehensive investigation.

“The NSIB is a multimodal investigation agency charged with the mandate to investigate transportation accidents and serious incidents in Nigeria with the aim of identifying the probable causes and proffer safety recommendations that can prevent reoccurrence.”