The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has recovered the flight data recorders from a helicopter that crashed into a building in Opebi, Lagos on Friday morning, killing two people.
A pilot and co-pilot died in the crash. A third occupant is hospitalised with critical injuries at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
The Bell helicopter operated by Quorum Aviation Services crashed into an open space of a four- and one-storey buildings.
A combined team of emergency officials comprising the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos Fire and security agencies are currently at the scene of the incident.
Residents said they heard a loud noise and what appeared to be an engine failure before the crash occurred.
The cause of the incident was yet to be ascertained but AIB said its investigators have recovered the black box which would aid the course of investigation.
Efforts are ongoing to recover the wreckage of the helicopter which would be evacuated by AIB for its investigation.
Similarly the police have also recovered the only car parked in the compound.
Police and AIB converged on the site soon after the chopper with registration 5N-BQWcrashed at 16 Salvation Road, Opebi on Friday.
Impact from the crash shattered part of the building.
A Camry parked on the premises was partly damaged.
A combined team of emergency officials comprising the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos Fire and security agencies are currently at the scene of the incident.
Daily Trust correspondents at the scene observed residents and passersby thronging the area.
The AIB team is to retrieve the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, or blackbox, for analysis in its investigation of the crash.
Director-General of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyitolu said the situation is under control.
Earlier, Gboyega Akosile, the Press chief secretary to the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu confirmed this in a tweet.
Flash: There’s been a helicopter crash in a private house at Opebi area of Lagos. Two people confirmed dead, 1 person badly wounded and has been taken to the hospital. The dead bodies have been deposited at the mortuary.
The Lagos State Emergency services are on ground. pic.twitter.com/7tYtgollIe— Gboyega Akosile (@gboyegaakosile) August 28, 2020
The dead bodies have been deposited at the mortuary.
The Lagos State Emergency Agency, LASEMA has activated its resources to the helicopter crash scene.
LASEMA Response Team at Opebi Helicopter Crash, rescue ongoing
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA has activated its resources to the helicopter crash at 16A Salvation Opebi Road, today, Friday, 28th August, 2020.
Operations ongoing. Updates to be forwarded pic.twitter.com/Dmk4cgX3Im
— Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (@followlasema) August 28, 2020
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