A helicopter belonging to the Nigerian Air Force, on Friday, crashed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
The helicopter with number NAF MI-35P, it was learnt, crashed at exactly 7.45 am shortly after it took off for an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State.
As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the crash had yet to be ascertained.
NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, who confirmed the crash, disclosed that all those onboard survived with “minor injuries”.
Gabkwet added that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, was on his way to the scene of the air crash to assess the situation.
He said, “The Chief of Air Staff is currently en route to Port Harcourt to assess the situation for himself, see to the wellbeing of the crew, and give further directives.
“An incident of this nature is yet again a grim reminder of the dangers associated with military flying and the risks NAF pilots and technicians experience in their onerous tasks of defending our nation and deterring criminal elements from their nefarious activities.”
Friday’s crash brings to a total of four crashes recorded by the NAF in 2023.
With Friday crash in Port Harcourt, the force has lost three helicopters within the year under review.
On February 6, 2023, a Nigerian Air Force maritime patrol aircraft crash-landed in Lagos.
The aircraft, a Cessna Citation CJ3 was on a routine flight.
It had lost its tyres on touch and go flight in Ilorin and had to carry out a controlled belly landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Fortunately, there were no fatalities or injuries to any crew member and persons on the ground.
Similarly, on July 14, 2023 a Nigerian Air Force FT-7NI trainer aircraft crashed in Makurdi, Benue State.
The aircraft crashed while on a routine training exercise but luckily, the two pilots on board survived the crash after successfully ejecting from the aircraft.
Fortunately, there was no loss of lives or damage to any property around the area of impact.
Similarly, a NAF jet marked MI-171 Helicopter on a casualty evacuation mission also crashed August 14, 2023 at about 1:00pm near Chukuba Village in Niger State.
All the military personnel involved had since been buried accordingly at the military cemetery, Abuja.
