2007 Paramount Airlines helicopter crash

Infobox Airliner accident
name=2007 Paramount Airlines helicopter crash
Date=June 3, 2007
Type= Unknown
Site=Lungi, Sierra Leone
Fatalities=22
Injuries=0
Aircraft Type=Mil Mi-8
Tail Number=
Operator=Paramount Airlines
Passengers= 20
Crew=2
Survivors =0|On June 3, 2007 a Mil Mi-8 helicopter operated by Paramount Airlines crashed near Lungi International Airport in Sierra Leone, killing approximately 20 to 22 people.

Background

Helicopters and a sea ferry are the only ways to get to the airport, located across the Sierra Leone River from the capital, Freetown, which is on the Atlantic Ocean.

The passengers on board were Togolese football fans who were returning from watching their national team play that of Sierra Leone, and the two pilots were of Ukranian origin. The passengers had chartered the aircraft specifically for the flight. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6715937.stm Sierra Leone air crash kills 19] - BBC News - Published June 4, retrieved June 7, 2007.]

Crash and emergency response

According to an eyewitness, both pilots jumped out immediately prior to the crash. [http://www.macon.com/world/story/57388.html Crash in Sierra Leone kills at least 20] - Macon.com - Published June 03, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2007.] Although local radio station Kalleone FM lists all 22 on board, including the pilots, as dead, other reports say at least one pilot survived. The aircraft caught fire upon impact and was destroyed before firefighters were able to extinguish the flames.According to airport witnessess the firefighters did not attend the scene until 40 minutes after the crash. The firefighter who had the keys to the fire truck was not at his station in the airport at the time. Airport staff had to dowse the flames with buckets of water.

Investigation

The government of Togo has sent a six-person delegation to help with the investigation into the crash. The majority of the dead were identified as Togolese football fans who had come to cheer their team's 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone at an African Cup of Nations qualifying match on Sunday. They included Togolese politician Richard Attipoe who was serving as Togo's minister of sports.

Aftermath

Sierra Leone's Minister of transport and communications Dr Prince Harding as well as the two top aviation officials in the country have lost their jobs as a result of the crash and a commission of enquiry has been set up.

References