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 told The PUNCH on Monday.

Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa, ex-National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi (retd.); and four others died in the crash.

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.

“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,” the naval source said.

The source, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the incident, also confided in one of our correspondents that investigators would also look into the possibility that the aircraft had been “overstretched” for the day.

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.

According to Ogbor, who is the Nigerian Navy Chief of Training and Operations, the aircraft just had its last scheduled routine maintenance on November 19, 2012 and was cleared for operations on November 20, 2012 by technical support engineers.

“When the aircraft crashed, it was having more than 80 flight hours before the next scheduled routine maintenance,” he stressed, and that the captain in command had flown more than 800 hours, while the co-pilots had flown over 300 hours.

Ogbor added, “The Nigerian Navy will not want to pre-empt the findings of the investigations. All our pilots are trained in the best aviation institutions all over the world.

“An accident investigating team has been set up to probe the immediate and remote cause of the crash. Members of the team include aircraft investigation specialists, Augusta Westland (the manufacturers of the aircraft) and other aviation regulatory agencies as provided for by extant regulations.”

The Nigerian Navy has also defended the use of the helicopter during the funeral of Pa Douglas, saying the naval helicopters were employed in “multi-role military operations.”

These roles, it said, included surveillance, logistic support at sea, search and rescue and medical evacuation.

It added that apart from these roles, the helicopters were deployed in aid of civil authority in peace time.

“These include VIP movement and humanitarian/disaster relief operations,” Ogbor stated, adding that the Navy deployed three of its helicopters to Central and Eastern Naval Commands in support of its Niger Delta operations.

Meanwhile, wife of the President, Patience Jonathan, on Monday wept profusely for five minutes at the Kaduna Government House, official residence of Yakowa.

Patience was in Kaduna to commiserate with the family of the late governor when she broke down in tears.

The president’s wife, who arrived the residence at 1:30pm, was ushered into the home of the Yakowas by Vice-President Namadi Sambo and the Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and she burst into tears as soon as she sighted the widow of the late governor, Amina.

When she finally calmed down about five minutes later, she said, “I am sorry that I am crying. I cry because I am a woman. I know what she’s passing through. We came here to console her and the good people of Kaduna State.

“Governor Yakowa was a peaceful man, a man who was everything; a strong and hard-working man. My sister, we sit in sorrow. I want you to know that you are the mother and father of your children now. We would continue remembering you in our prayers.”

The President’s wife later wrote in the condolence register, “Our dearly beloved Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, we received with rude shock news of your sudden and painful departure.

“We, however, give God praise that you lived a worthy life full of honour and integrity.

“We are also gladdened that you were a true patriot who was devoted to the welfare of your people without respect for the divides and differences. Our prayers are that God, almighty will receive you into His peace and grant you sweet repose.”

Also at the Yakowas’ residence, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, said that the country had lost a noble gentleman and a seasoned administrator. He described the late governor as a peace promoter who was committed to the development of the state and the nation.

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, said the late governor and the ex-NSA died at a time the nation needed their services most.

Tukur told Yakowa’s widow, Amina, that he knew the husband 25 years ago and that he fondly called him my “son.”

“I fondly call your husband my son. I know him over 25 years. He was the Commissioner of Industry when I was the Minister of Industry. He is never tired of asking of me or seeing me throughout the time I was in office as Minister,” he said.

http://247nigerianewsupdate.com/helicopter-crashed-on-15th-trip-of-the-day-source/

Personally, I'm of the oppinion that a device was planted in the craft before it airlifted Gov. Yakowa, Gen. Azazi, et al for Portharcourt. I hope the investigation team undertaking this task would not fail to uncover the reason(s) behind this dastardly act.

One serving governor everyone has described as a great man even in his death apart from those crooks from Kaduna north. I have always had my distant admiration for this man.
I sympathise with your wife, Amina.
May the good LORD bless your soul, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and comfort your family.

General Andrew Owoye Azazi, one of the nation's finest officers who put his job on the line to speak out what he saw, the reality of the Northern unrest... "Boko Haram is PDP & PDP is Boko Haram" and as a result, he was declared 'unworthy' to live.

I did said earlier that there is more to this crash that meets the eye & I expect the investigation panel to leave no stone unturned by exposing those idiots behind this very sad occurrence.

We must adopt the precepts of bringing the enemies of this nation to book.

Not only cars experience over heating. I feel 15 trips in one day is too much. That craft must have been stretched to its limit and its likely isnt a new one. You might hear it's 20years old.

The way i drive my car 3yrs ago isnt thesame way i drive it now because i know it is ageing. When i touch the steering wheel, i know how much the car can do. Radiator heat, speed limit, drive hours a day etc.

hAHAHA...evryting 4 thizzz naija na on the second hand level e dey...4rm Planes 2 helicopters, train sef!

iamtheprincipal: Personally, I'm of the oppinion that a device was planted in the craft before it airlifted Gov. Yakowa, Gen. Azazi, et al for Portharcourt. I hope the investigation team undertaking this task would not fail to uncover the reason(s) behind this dastardly act.

One serving governor everyone has described as a great man even in his death apart from those crooks from Kaduna north. I have always had my distant admiration for this man.
I sympathise with your wife, Amina.
May the good LORD bless your soul, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and comfort your family.

General Andrew Owoye Azazi, one of the nation's finest officers who put his job on the line to speak out what he saw, the reality of the Northern unrest... "Boko Haram is PDP & PDP is Boko Haram" and as a result, he was declared 'unworthy' to live.

I did said earlier that there is more to this crash that meets the eye & I expect the investigation panel to leave no stone unturned by exposing those idiots behind this very sad occurrence.

We must adopt the precepts of bringing the enemies of this nation to book.

Adieu Sir!

What's new ?

Nigeria never learn. They always make the same mistake over and over playing Russian roulettes with lives.

Only God knows what really happened. We will never know whether its human fault or a terrorist act. Nigeria does not have any skills to deal with these issues.

Investigation will not lead to anything. By January, no one will remember anymore .

It needed some rest.

Well, this factor doesnt matter, as far as "Necessary checks are done at specific intervals according to the Engineers", I work in the aviation industry, a helicopter can do so many landings without flying for high number of hours, Its the hours of flight and maintenance checks that matters the most, the helicopter might do so many landings without working for more dan 2hrs, especially when its movements within the state .... NB: There should be no MANAGE-MANAGE Mechanism. Once there is a little error (even if its dat a particular light is not coming on), the flight should be cancelled, no matter how irrelevant the error is. I work in the aviation Industry (helicopters specifically).

THE MAJOR QUESTION SHOULD BE:
Why is a "Military Helicopter" used like a KABU=KABU ? because if it was a Private company's helicopter, they will put deir foot down strongly that they cannot fly the aircraft if it requires "Maintenance" or any "special attention" or perhaps the whole crash was just an "ACCIDENT" .... GOD KNOWS BEST

So it was turned Into KEKE. nigerians we Funny. 100km X 15trips=1500km. Multiply by the power of Take off and landing which is twice the power of the 1500km it means they run the chopper for 4500km which is beyond the design capabilities.

iamtheprincipal: Personally, I'm of the oppinion that a device was planted in the craft before it airlifted Gov. Yakowa, Gen. Azazi, et al for Portharcourt. I hope the investigation team undertaking this task would not fail to uncover the reason(s) behind this dastardly act.

One serving governor everyone has described as a great man even in his death apart from those crooks from Kaduna north. I have always had my distant admiration for this man.
I sympathise with your wife, Amina.
May the good LORD bless your soul, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and comfort your family.

General Andrew Owoye Azazi, one of the nation's finest officers who put his job on the line to speak out what he saw, the reality of the Northern unrest... "Boko Haram is PDP & PDP is Boko Haram" and as a result, he was declared 'unworthy' to live.

I did said earlier that there is more to this crash that meets the eye & I expect the investigation panel to leave no stone unturned by exposing those idiots behind this very sad occurrence.

We must adopt the precepts of bringing the enemies of this nation to book.

Well spoken bro

Okija_juju: Shooo... Na taxi!!?

Ask them O.

I taya.

Hope they wrote those english for the first lady or he don dey practise & cram it since sunday....RIP to the dead

I sure say the Hellcopter get conductor....because no difference wih Lagos Bus

It always bother me when hundreds of ppl keep losing their lives on our road on daily basis without anybody saying anything. But when some few ppl die through air, it kept on feeling the front of newspaper page daily

samally:

Adieu Sir!

what's wrong with you? Why adieuing him? He isn't the dead man here,...shege! Some Nigerians sha.....

torres2: Hope they wrote those english for the first lady or he don dey practise & cram it since sunday....RIP to the dead

people are dead
people are here making sense
and ur here talking nonsense

emu emu

That helicopter was totally abused. Even Timi Dakolo and his wife (who sabi them?) were hoping to get their turn on a naval chopper. #shame

WE LOVE U YAKOWA,rest in peace.

Why is Military helicopter being used for civilian purpose.

Now under which account will this crash be recorded?

who is liable for the accident and the dead?

we do things without proper thinking.... BIG MAN sydrome!

An officer dat d con3 spent resources & time 2 train turned in2 a chopper 'cabbie' 2 ferry politicians & sycophants around.
They have shifted attention 4rm okoroba 2 Kaduna now. We wl neva learn. They are falling over themselves on the road 2 kaduna & am sure sum 'lesser' mortals 2 insignificant to mention have died on their way 2 pay condolence visit

They may have targeted AZAZI.-he knows too much. Azazi now beckoned Yakowa- Pls come and joined me joor! Yakowa reluctantly followed. The planners called- Yakowa the Gov of kadunna State is on board! Go ahead and press the button, we have no second chance or Plan A B.

i cry because am a woman??

Keke NAPEP

CHIMCO: They may have targeted AZAZI.-he knows too much. Azazi now beckoned Yakowa- Pls come and joined me joor! Yakowa reluctantly followed. The planners called- Yakowa the Gov of kadunna State is on board! Go ahead and press the button, we have no second chance or Plan A B.

Niaja n dia conspiracy theories. Even if d truth hit us on d face, we ll stil stick 2 our theories without evidence.

zangiff: i cry because am a woman??

Who does not know she's a woman

Nija and hi-handedness, shay as d d helicopta crash,the other dignitrys follow d peaceful water ways? How can one helicopta go on 15 trips with out pause and U tell us it still had 80hours more to fly b4 mentainance...God see us through.

can all those investigations brings back the lost lives?what do they really want to investigate?when they overstress an old heliculter,all those calling on tb joshua profecy as fake should now bury their head in shame with this report,imaging all this 15 trip are into one plane ,what do you think would have happen,God knows that satan want to strike and he make the revelation to the man of God,infact the dead should rest in peace and i pray that God will give the family of yakowa and azazi the fortitude to bear the lost

The life-span of an aircraft is measured both in flight hours, and in takeoff and landing cycles.

A helicopter ferrying passengers over short distances can handle far more than 15 takeoff and landing cycles a day, without causing any undue loading to engines or fuselage.

In the opinion of this armchair accident investigator, the doomed Augusta 109 chopper was shot down with small arms fire, moments after takeoff.

Taxi in the air!

What is the distance between the take-off point & the landing that the copter covered 15 times in one day?
Did the copter made the 15 trips without stopping/ resting?
Its fuel level?
...............

omoajiri: What is the distance between the take-off point & the landing that the copter covered 15 times in one day?
Did the copter made the 15 trips without stopping/ resting?

Most likely the helicopter was ferrying those passengers to the nearest airport, located probably under 20 minutes flying time away from the point of departure.

Yes sir indeed, this bird can take off and land 15 times in a row without a "rest". Those turbine engines are more than up to the task, and the Augusta 109 is second only to the Westland Lynx, when it comes to helicopter fast flight capability.