The Augusta 109 Naval Helicopter, which crashed in Bayelsa State on Saturday, was on its 15th trip for the day when the accident occurred, a senior naval officer has revealed.
“The helicopter was made available for the use of guests at the funeral. One thing I can say is that it was going on its 15th trip when it crashed. I cannot say whether this could affect the performance of the helicopter.”
A senior Naval office, who pleaded anonymity, revealed that investigators would also look into the possibility that the aircraft had been “overstretched” for the day.
The aircraft had been shuttling between Okoroba and Port Harcourt, carrying guests to and fro the venue of the burial of the father of President Goodluck Jonathan’s aide, Oronto Douglas, in Okoroba. It successfully executed 14 trips before it collapse in mid-air, leading to the crash.
But, the Nigerian Navy, at a press conference on Monday, said that the helicopter was air-worthy. Spokesman for the Navy at the press conference, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogbor, said the crashed helicopter had more than 80 flight hours before its next scheduled routine maintenance.
Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa; ex-National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi (retd.); and four others died in the crash.
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