•NSIB commences investigation
By Chinelo Obogo and Bolaji Okunola
A light single Jabiru J430 aircraft with registration marks 5N-CCQ, operated by Air First Hospitality and Tours, crashed at Oba Akran Road, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday.
The aircraft with two passengers onboard, was on a test flight from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos, and crashed at around 15.00 hours. Those onboard were rescued alive and taken to the hospital in an ambulance.
The spokesperson of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Tunji Oketunmbi, said the Bureau has been notified and has commenced investigation into the accident. The bureau said the aircraft caught fire on impact, but the spread was contained by the rainfall at the time of impact.
“Those on board have been taken to the hospital and are receiving treatment. The bureau is soliciting further information from the general public in the form of pictures, video or recording evidence to assist in conducting a comprehensive investigation,” Oketunmbi said.
A witness, Femi Balogun, who spoke to Daily Sun, said the plane encountered difficulties at the Computer Village axis before heading towards the accident scene.
“This happened at about 3pm. The plane was spotted at Computer Village, struggling to gain balance. It was seen hitting poles and street lights before crashing opposite a bank. The passengers were seen struggling before help was rendered by citizens. They were immediately taken to the hospital while bleeding seriously.
“As for the fire fighters and officials of the Federal Airport Authority (FAAN), it took them 30 minutes to arrive at the scene. Thanks to banking halls and companies who discharged their fire extinguishers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Air Peace has denied reports that it owns the aircraft which was involved in the crash. In a statement, the airline said: “The plane that crashed around Oba Akran, Ikeja, is not an Air Peace aircraft. We operate Boeing 777s, Embraer 195-E2s, ERJ-145s, Dornier 328, Airbus 320s and Boeing 737s.
“It is emphatically important that people get their facts right before publishing. Members of the public are urged to disregard the report as it clearly misrepresents the Air Peace brand,” the airline said.