NNPC HELICOPTER IN NEAR MISHAP

An HS 125-400 helicopter belonging to
the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), yesterday overshot the
runway at Osubi Airstrip, Delta state.

Spokesman of the Accident Investigation
Bureau (AIB), Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, who confirmed the incident, told Blueprint in
Lagos that the helicopter, marked 5N-NOC, was operated by Aero on behalf of
NNPC.

“AIB investigators have been deployed
to the site for investigation,” he said.

Also confirming the report, the
Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Mr.
Tumini Green, said in a statement that the aircraft was on a routine operation
to Warri when it overshot the runway.

He said there were no casualtiesm
adding that the appropriate aviation agencies had been notified and had
commenced investigations.

Air transportation in the country has
suffered many helicopter accidents and incidents that have claimed many lives,
including those of eminent persons.

Recently, on December 15, 2012, an
Augusta 109 Naval Helicopter had crashed into the Ogbia creek in the northern
part of okoroba community in Nembe local government of Bayelsa state, killing
the former governor of Kaduna state, Mr. Ibrahim Yakowa, the former National
Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi, and some other travellers of the ill-fated
craft.

Source: Blueprint