Investigations have been concluded into the real reason VP Osinbajo’s helicopter crashed in 2019 has been concluded.
According to the Commissioner of the Accident and Investigation Bureau, Akin Olateru, the crash which happened on the 2nd of February 2019 is said to have been caused by an impaired inflight visibility.
The Augusta Westland (AW139) helicopter, operated by Caverton Helicopters Ltd crashed at Kabba, Kogi State, one hour after take-off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. It was headed for Kabba.
There were 12 persons on board, including VP Prof Yemi Osinbajo, the pilot and crew. All the passengers came out alive.
A report released by by the Accident Investigations Bureau today, 28th July the real reason for the crash.
The report:
“At about 13:46hrs, the helicopter departed Abuja runway for Kabba.
“On board were 12 passengers including the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his entourage and 3 crew members (pilot, co-pilot ad engineer).
“The flight crew stated that they sighted the intended landing area as a result of the cloud of residual dust generated by the downwash of a police helicopter.
“After sighting the football field, the flight crew approached with the speed of 20ft to about a 100ft and entered a hover to land.
“At about 50ft above ground level, a brownout set in. The flight lost visual contact with the ground and external surroundings.
“The flight crew encountered a brownout condition during the hover to land which led to the loss of external visual references, spatial disorientation and loss of situational awareness. This resulted in misjudgement of distance and ground clearance as the flight crew tried to control the helicopter’s movements for landing. The helicopter landed hard and rolled over to its side.”
The accident happened last year while the VP was on an electioneering campaign in Kogi State.
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