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Air Force explains cause of May 9 chopper crash

By on May 14, 2013

The Nigerian Air Force had on Monday released the preliminary report on the investigation into the crashed Mi-24B helicopter of last week.

The incident occurred on May 9 at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

A statement issued on Monday in Abuja and signed by Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, the Director, Air Force Public Relations and Information, said a team of safety and engineering investigators, who investigated the accident, said the cause of the crash might not be unconnected with ‘tail rotor systems failure.’

It noted that the engines of the helicopter and the gear box were in good serviceable condition at the time of the accident.

The statement added that “The report said that mechanical machines are occasionally subject to failure as a result of system’s malfunction.

“The report also confirmed that the helicopter had flown 1,908 hours before the accident.”

Following the crash of the helicopter, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, directed the grounding of the entire Mi-35P and Mi-24B helicopter fleet.” it said.

The spokesman assured that following their certification by investigators, the Mi-helicopters fleet are now fit to resume flying.