Audio By Carbonatix
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the Nigerian cargo jet, Allied Air landed in a pool of water during heavy rains before overshooting the runway, authorities said on Sunday.
The Boeing 727-200 rammed through the airport fencing and crashed into two cars on a nearby street, killing at least 10.
"What we know for now is that it was raining at the time and the plane landed in a pool of water and that created some challenges to the pilot," Doreen Owusu Fianko, managing director of Ghana Airports Company told reporters during a visit to the crash site by President John Atta Mills.
Fianko said a joint team including external aviation experts would be announced later on Sunday to begin investigations into the crash.
The plane which had taken off from Lagos in Nigeria, failed to stop at the end of the runway and crashed into a taxi cab and mini-bus on a nearby street just after 1900 GMT.
Fianko said the plane was carrying general goods including textiles, perfumes and clothing from Nigeria to the Ivory Coast via Accra.
All four crew, including two pilots survived the crash. "They are all in good health and are receiving treatment at the clinic," Fianko said.
A Reuters witness saw a badly mangled minivan and ten bodies next to the crashed plane, which had parts of its nose, wing and undercarriage torn off.
The airport perimeter wall near the road was smashed. Ambulances, police and military security cordoned the area.
A doctor at the airport medical clinic near the runway said he heard "a loud bang and screeches" and then went outside, where he saw a plume of smoke rising from the accident site.
Operations at the airport remained normal with all flights on schedule, Fianko said.
Saturday's crash was the first in decades in Ghana whose airspace has a fairly high safety record, compared with other countries in the West Africa region.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
I was filled with disbelief – Akosua Achia Sarpong Esq. shares her first reaction
26 seconds -
Snake Village: A look at Volta Region’s hidden snake village and its tourism potential (Video)
8 minutes -
Election Watch Ghana calls for constitutional reforms to strengthen Electoral Commission independence
10 minutes -
NACOC, Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission intensify efforts to curb drug trafficking
12 minutes -
Ga Mantse chairs committee to drive Accra Green and Clean City Initiative
13 minutes -
Drivers threaten to remove traders from lorry stations over TrafficTech concerns
16 minutes -
AI could create 10 to 20 times more jobs despite current recruitment slowdown – Hubtel CEO
18 minutes -
Sexual abuse in schools persists because perpetrators are not held accountable – Dr Nyarkoa
26 minutes -
Chief Justice has designated Achimota Court to handle petroleum diversion cases – NPA CEO
29 minutes -
Philip Nai and friends gear up for bigger seventh Christmas outreach
30 minutes -
GSA strengthens electricity meter testing to protect consumers and improve energy reliability
31 minutes -
‘Dismissed or suspended? Ghanaians deserve clarity’ – NPP demands clarity on Ampofo Ankrah’s fate
35 minutes -
Teach consent and sexual boundaries from pre-school to prevent abuse – Gender advocate
40 minutes -
Zonda Tec launches HOWO T3M truck to support agric and logistics
49 minutes -
Obuasi SHTS scandal: Eduwatch calls for sex offenders’ register and mandatory background checks for teachers
1 hour