Today at approximately 16:00hrs, a light-engine helicopter turbo 5N – CCQ crash-landed and burst into flames beside the boulevard in Oba Akran Road, Ikeja. According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the 4-man crew on board was successfully rescued and taken to a nearby hospital.
The tragic incident occurred just a few minutes after the chopper took off from the local wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, from a height of about 1,500 feet.
Prompt response by first responders from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Lagos State Environmental Management Agency (LASEMA) helped manage the situation. The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) investigators were also deployed to the scene.
Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, the NEMA zonal coordinator for Southwest, confirmed the successful rescue of all crew members. Officers and men of the Nigeria Police were present at the scene to cordon off the area and manage the chaotic traffic caused by the crash.
This incident serves as a poignant reminder of a similar tragedy in 2020 when a helicopter operated by Quorum Aviation crashed into a building at No. 16, Salvation Road, Opebi, Ikeja, resulting in the loss of all three passengers on board.
As investigations into today’s crash commence, authorities and stakeholders emphasize the need for stricter safety measures to prevent such occurrences.
