The Minister of Power, Abdul Waheed Adebayo Adelabu, and his entourage had a narrow escape on Friday evening, when their private aircraft, with registration number 5N-AMM, crash-landed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Control TV reports.
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The aircraft, which was coming from Abuja, skid off the runway into a nearby bush after landing at the Ibadan Airport. The control tower lost communication with the aircraft and immediately alerted the emergency services.
The three cabin crew members and the seven passengers, including the minister, were all rescued from the damaged aircraft. No one was injured in the incident.
The cause of the crash is still unknown, but some sources said it could be due to bad weather or mechanical failure. The aircraft is still in the bush at runway 22, while security personnel are on standby.
A preliminary report on the incident, obtained by Newsflash Nigeria, stated that the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS), the Aviation Security (AVSEC), and other airport officials reported almost immediately to the scene. The report also said that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airport commandant and his team were present at the scene.
The report added that after a brief emergency meeting with the Heads of Departments (HODs) on ground, the findings were that there was no loss of life and that the runway lighting system was on at the time of the arrival.
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“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 concluded that further investigation is awaited to ascertain the cause of the incident.
(C)ControlTV2023.
