Metro
Private Jet Conveying Minister Crash-Lands (Preliminary Report)
A private jet that had Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, on board crash-landed near Ibadan Airport in Oyo State on Friday night, Daily Trust has reported.
It is yet to be ascertained if the minister or those on board sustained any injury in the incident, which happened after the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMET) issued travel warning based on hazy weather.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had also advised Pilots and Airline Operators to exercise caution over hazardous weather as the dry season approaches.
The chartered aircraft Flint Short Aero, an HS 125 with the registration number: 5N-AMM, had an initial contact with the control tower at 18:56 seeking for extension, which was granted by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), according to a source.
The aircraft departed Abuja with Ibadan as its destination.
The source said that the aircraft landed short of the threshold with about 50 metres and skidded into a bushy ditch close to the runway.
Though, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has been informed of the serious incident, the authority is yet to issue a statement.
When contacted, a spokesperson with NSIB, Mr. Tunji Oketunmbi, told Daily Trust that the Bureau’s investigators were on ground in Ibadan to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
GWG.ng reports that a preliminary report on the crash-landing made available to Saharareporters read thus:
“At about 0825hrs of 03/11/2023, an aircraft with registration number 5N-AMM that convey the incumbent minister of power, Abdul Waheed Adebayo Adelabu, and his entourage crash-landed along runway 22 and skid off the runway into a nearby bush.
“The control tower reported on radio that he lost communication with the just landed aircraft and immediately called on the ARFFS, the AVSEC and other needed airport officials reported almost immediately to the scene.
“The 3 cabin crews and the 7 Passengers were all rescued from the damaged aircraft. All efforts to get details from the pilot proved abortive. Also at the scene were the NAF airport commandant and his team.
“As at time the of filling this report, the aircraft is still in the bush at runway 22 while the security personnel of both AVSEC, ARFFS, Airport Safety team and NAF team were on standby for cover,” the report said.
Officials told SaharaReporters that after a “brief emergency meeting with the HODs on ground”, the findings were that there was no loss of life.
“The runway lighting system was on as at the time of the Arrival. There was no life lost. We could not ascertain the cause of the incident as at the point of filling this report. The Aircraft skid off the runway. In conclusion we are awaiting further Investigation,” an official said.
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