A light aircraft crashed and burst into flames while on a test flight in Lagos, on Tuesday, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau said.
The bureau said it had commenced investigating the accident involving a Jabiru J430 light airplane with registration number 5N-CCQ, which occurred just after 1500 (1400 GMT).
The aircraft was operated by Air First Hospitality & Tours and had two passengers on board, before it crashed around Oba Akran, a busy area of Lagos. There were no fatalities, the bureau said.
Lagos State spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, said two people on board were rescued alive.
Earlier, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency said a helicopter had crash-landed on a road in front of the United Bank for Africa building in Lagos, and that four people were taken to hospital.
The NSIB investigates transport accidents in Nigeria with the aim of identifying the probable cause and providing safety recommendations.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday evening visited the site of the helicopter crash in the state and commended the efforts of all the first responders as well as residents who joined in the rescue mission.
Speaking to journalists after assessing the site of the private helicopter crash, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who stopped at the site on his way from the airport after joining President Bola Tinubu on a trip to Benin Republic, said no lives were lost in the unfortunate incident.
Governor Sanwo-Olu thanked God that the incident did not result in any fatality, saying the extensive investigation into the incident would be carried out by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.
The Governor commended the Lagos State Emergency Management services, which relentlessly cleared the road of debris from the helicopter.
He also praised residents of the neighborhood and two individuals – Oluwafemi and Opeyemi, who participated in putting out the fire from the aircraft after it crash-landed.
He said, “There was an unfortunate helicopter crash on the road of Oba Akran right in the middle of the road. It was a single-engine helicopter that had two passengers on board. The two passengers on board have been rescued. They are currently at a hospital and are receiving treatment as we speak.
“We do not know the cause of the helicopter crash. That would be done by experts at the NSIB, which is an investigative bureau. But we are thankful that we got a very quick response both from Lagos State Emergency Service (LASEMA) and all the residents of the neighborhood, especially two very gallant citizens; Oluwafemi and Opeyemi. While everybody was running away, Opeyemi and Oluwafemi were the very first people that looked for water and they were able to also help to rescue the two passengers that were inside the helicopter.
“We could see that the crash site had been secured. All the wreckage has been evacuated and moved into a truck. It would be transported officially and handed over to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority where I am sure necessary investigations would be done. “We are thankful to all the residents and all of you that came out very quickly and were able to rescue the occupants. Thanks to workers at the fuel station because where the crash happened was a gas line. I am thankful to the two people I mentioned earlier and I am sure we are happy that while the unfortunate incident happened in the middle of the road, it has not led to any fatality.
“I am sure there would be official information from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria on the incident. I am just coming from the airport to see and assess what has been the situation. I am just arriving from Benin with Mr. President.
“We thank God, it wasn’t more than this. I am sure the investigation will reveal all of the things that have gone wrong and we are hoping that the people responsible will be held accountable at the end of the day,” Sanwo-Olu said.