Police helicopter crashes with 6 on board

A Bell 429 helicopter with Registration Marks 5N-MDA owned and operated by Nigerian Police Force with six persons on board which took off from Abuja crashed in Bauchi State on Wednesday.

However, no life was lost in the incident, though some of those of board were injured, Nigeria’s the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB said in a statement issued on the accident on Thursday.

AIB said it was notified of the crash by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency however did not state the extent of the injury.

It also asked the public to assist it with video clips, evidences, or information on the accident that can assist it in the investigation of the crash.

“On 26th January, 2022, Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria was notified by Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) about an accident involving a Bell 429 helicopter with Registration Marks 5N-MDA owned and operated by Nigerian Police Force (NPF),” the statement said.

“The accident occurred on 26th January, 2022 around 7:30pm (Local Time) at Bauchi Airport.

“The NPF helicopter had departed Abuja at 16:54 UTC for Bauchi with Six persons on board maintaining 5,500ft

“There were some injuries but no fatality.

“The investigating agency, AIB-N needs and hereby solicits for your assistance. We want the public to know that we would be amenable to receiving any video clips, evidences, or information any member of the public may have of the accident that can assist us with this investigation.

“The Bureau will appreciate that the general public and press respect the privacy of the people involved and NOT assume the cause of the accident until a formal report is released.”