Passengers safe after chopper crash lands

All eight passengers onboard the helicopter with the number SA 365 C2 embossed on its tail, which crash-landed at Beposo, near Ejisu Juabeng in the Ashanti Region, are safe.

The eight passengers, comprising six Newmont officials and two crew of the IAS Helicopter Company, had a flight scare when one of the helicopter’s two engines malfunctioned.


A statement issued by NEWMONT Ghana Gold Limited and signed by Director, External Affairs & Communications, Adiki Ayitevie, described the incident as an "unscheduled landing" and added that the passengers, who were flying from Kenyase to Accra have reached their destinations safely.


Read below the statement from Newmont Ghana.


HELICOPTER PASSENGERS SAFE AFTER UNSCHEDULED LANDING


A chartered helicopter carrying six Newmont officials and two crew of the IAS Helicopter Company this afternoon made an unscheduled landing at Beposo in the Ashanti Region.

All people on board the aircraft are safe.


The delegation was travelling from Newmont’s Ahafo mine site in Kenyasi to Accra when one of the helicopter’s two engines began to malfunction. The twin engine helicopter is able to function with a single engine.


All passengers and the crew aboard the aircraft have been transported safely by a support helicopter to Accra.


All safety and emergency procedures were followed by the pilots who handled the situation professionally. Aviation officials and the helicopter carrier are investigating the causes of the engine malfunction.


Newmont would like to thank all involved for their professionalism and ensuring all people onboard the helicopter reached their destinations safely.