The Ghana presidential jet, Falcon 900, had on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 caught fire as it tried to take off after the cred had slight operational issues with the computer at the Kotoka International Airport.
According to reports, the Presidential aircraft, which had President John Mahama inside was tasked to perform a special mission at Malabo today, March 3, 2015.
This development was contained in a press statement issued by the Ghana Armed Forces and signed by the Director of Public Relations, Lieutenant Commander, Andy La-anyane.
The statement disclosed that “the fire was caused as a result of friction between the wheels and the runway surface.”
The aircraft reportedly lost two main left wheels in the process of the second run for take-off,.
The statement said, “in spite of the serious 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.”
However, they later found out that the left wheels of the aircraft was already on fire.
It was gathered that measures were immediately taken to put the situation under control.
The Armed Forces said, “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.”
The Air Force Base fire men and that of the main airport reportedly stormed the scene to douse the fire entirely.
