- • Two survivors are rescued and hospitalized.
- • The NSIB investigates.
Yesterday, a significant catastrophe was narrowly averted in Lagos when a distressed light aircraft on a test flight crash-landed on busy Oba Akran Road in Ikeja, on a gas pipeline, and a few meters from a gas station.
On the return segment of a test flight, the Jabiru J430 aircraft with registration 5N-CCQ was forced to make an emergency landing less than a kilometer from Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) runway 18 left.
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage captured the plane striking a streetlight pole during a rapid descent before landing on the road and bursting into flames.
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The incident, which occurred around 3:30 p.m., plunged the business district into chaos. However, the timely recovery of residents resulted in the recovery of the two individuals onboard.
The light single-engine airplane Jabiru J430 was operated by Air First Hospitality and Tours.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), which has initiated an investigation, has verified that the aircraft was on a test flight within Lagos with two people on board before it crashed with no reported fatalities.
The aircraft caught fire upon contact, but the Bureau noted that the fire was contained.
For the purpose of conducting a thorough investigation, the NSIB requested photographic, video, and audio evidence from the general public.
Yesterday, at approximately 6 p.m., the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, visited the collision site. He was filled with awe for the citizens who rescued the victims.
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Sanwo-Olu stated, “The two people on board were safely rescued and are currently being treated at a hospital.” We do not know what caused the mishap, but we are grateful for the prompt response we received from the Lagos State emergency management authority and the residents, in particular Oluwafemi Kapo and Opeyemi.
“While others fled, two of them searched for water in the gutter and assisted in the rescue of the people. We are thankful that no one was killed when the unfortunate incident occurred in the middle of the road.
“An investigation will be conducted to determine what went wrong, and we hope that those responsible will be held accountable,” said Sanwo-Olu.
Idowu Owohunwa, the commissioner of police for the state of Lagos, also praised the bravery of the first responders.
“The response was outstanding. As soon as the incident was reported, the Command’s police secured the scene and coordinated with the first responders. No fatalities.” I can confirm that it was a single-engine aircraft, not a helicopter as previously reported.”
The Southwest Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, added that the two occupants had been rescued despite the pilot’s severe frontal injuries.
“The timely rescue was made possible by the local community.
“Surviving a plane accident requires only ten minutes. Therefore, confined victims will be rescued if rescuers reach them within 10 minutes, but any delay beyond that poses a problem. Consequently, we value the community. Farinloye stated, “We have a gas plant and a gas station here; if there were more, more disasters would have been recorded.”
Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu, stated, “The two individuals who responded first are examples of the public collaborating with the government, and this is what we have been doing: partnering with the community.” We will continue to thank the pair.
Our operations have improved in the past six months. We are constructing a society in which everyone can administer fundamental life support.”
Almost three years had passed since Quorum Aviation Limited’s light Bell 206B3 helicopter with registration number 5N-BQW plummeted into residential apartments. The pilot and one of the two crewmembers aboard were slain when the aircraft lost control and crashed into the compound at No. 16, Salvation Road, Opebi.
A few minutes before landing at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, the helicopter, which was traveling from Port Harcourt to Lagos, collapsed.
