Ghana Presidential Jet Catches Fire

Ghana’s presidential jet caught fire on Tuesday while taking off at the Kotoka International Airport.

The aircraft was bound for Equatorial Guinea, Starr News reports.

Neither President John Mahama nor any government official were on board, and there were no injuries.

According to a statement released by the government, the fire was caused by friction between the wheels and the runway surface.

Read the statement:

The Presidential aircraft, Falcon 900, was tasked to perform a special mission to Malabo-Equatorial Guinea on Monday March 3. On departure from the Kotoka International Airport, the crew experienced slight operational problems with the computer system.

As a result, the aircraft returned to the Air Force Base in Accra to reset the computers. During the second run for take-off, the aircraft lost two main left wheels.

In spite of the severe veering of the aircraft to the left, they managed to slow and successfully turned off the runway without veering into the shoulders of the runway. The aircraft stopped successfully.

It was observed however that the left wheels were on fire. Emergency procedures were followed with the disembarkation of the passengers and the fighting of the fire.

Fire extinguishers on board were used to bring the situation under control. Fire tenders from the Air Force Base and that of the main airport also arrived immediately to assist in putting off the fire completely.

Preliminary investigations indicate the fire was caused as a result of friction between the wheels and the runway surface. Special Occurrence Report has been sent to the Air Force Headquarters and a special investigation team is being composed.

Photo Credit: www.starrfmonline.com