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| The crashed helicopter |
A
Nigerian registered helicopter with number 5N-BQH owned by yet to be named
politician from the Niger Delta and operated by Captain Wale Makinde was
involved in accident in Benin Republic on Thursday, but no life was lost.
It
was learnt that the helicopter, a private airworthiness aircraft meant for
private use was contracted for commercial purposes by a presidential candidate
in Benin Republic who wanted to use it for campaigns for four weeks before it
got involved in accident.
According
to a source from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) which confirmed
the incident, the tail rotor of the helicopter hit an object and the pilot lost
control but no life was lost; however, it was not yet confirmed the extent of
injury sustained by the souls onboard the chopper.
It
was also learnt that the helicopter is maintained by Aero Contractors, but an
NCAA source said the airline was also managing the aircraft.
“I
can confirm that the helicopter was involved in accident and it is beyond our
jurisdiction because it happened outside Nigeria but we are monitoring things;
although I do not have much details yet, but the accident investigation body
from that country will have to find out the cause of the accident and the
extent of damage done on the aircraft,” the NCAA source said.
It
was also gathered that as a helicopter with private and not commercial license,
it ought not to have been used to render commercial services because by
regulation it should only be used by the owner, so the helicopter was used for
illegal charter operation.
It left Port Harcourt on Thursday, landed and refuelled in Lagos before it departed to Cotonou where it was to be used for political campaigns by a presidential candidate in Nigeria’s neighbouring country.
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