Caverton Helicopters, the owners of the helicopter conveying Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo which crash-landed at Kogi State on Saturday, said investigations have since commenced to unravel what led to the unfortunate incident.
In a statement issued and made available to journalists, the company said: “On February 2, 2019 at about 1331 UTC, (14:31 Local Time) an helicopter (AgustaWestland 139) with Nigerian Registration Marks 5N-PEJ and serial number: 31389, owned and operated by Caverton Helicopters crashed on landing in Kabba, Kogi State, with 12 souls on board including the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN). Passengers and crew survived the accident with no injury.
“I will like to appreciate the professionalism of the rescue team. Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), the agency of government created under the Civil Aviation Act 2006 with a clear mandate to investigate air accidents and serious incidents have commenced investigations into this accident.
According to the Commissioner of Accident Investigation Bureau, Akin Olateru: “I am assuring the entire public that this investigation will be detailed, thorough and timely. This is not to apportion blame, it is about fact-finding and making safety recommendations with a view to preventing future occurrences.
“As the investigating agency, AIB needs and hereby solicits for your help. We want the public to know that we would be amenable to receiving any video clip(s), relevant evidence, or information any member of the public may have of the accident; that can assist us with this investigation.
“I would like to enjoin the press and the public please, to respect the privacy of the people involved and not to pre-empt the cause of the accident.
“AIB will release the preliminary report which will include factual information about the accident in a matter of days.”
