Fire consumes Overland Airways’ aircraft

An Overland Airways’ today suffered a big loss as one of its aircraft went up in flames inside a hangar belonging to the airline.

The aircraft, an ATR with registration number 5N BPE according to investigation was being powered by Ground Power Unit when it caught fire.

To minimize damage to the airplane, officials of the Federal Airports Authority(FAAN) fire fighters raced to the scene to put out the fire and preventing the fire from spreading to other parked aircraft in the area.

Major parts of the aircraft were seriously burnt.

The damage started from the nose cone area of the plane and spread to the cabin before it was put out.

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), the agency responsible for investigation of accidents and incidents has dispatched its team of investigators to the area with a view to investigating the cause of the fire.

Director of Operations, FAAN, Captain Rabiu Yadudu and officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) met with management of Overland Airways Executive Director, Mrs. Duke Atiba.

She however promised that the airline would issue a statement on the incident which claimed no lives.

Wole Shadare