Ghana Armed Forces says presidential jet fire from friction between wheels and runway

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) on Tuesday said the fire that necessitated the abortion of a mission of the Presidential Jet was as a result of friction between the wheels and the runway surface.

Reports had alleged that the Presidential Aircraft, Falcon 900, which had experienced slight problems with its computer system, had caught fire.

A statement, signed by Lieutenant Commander Andy La-Anyane, , Deputy Director, Information and Press Relations of the GAF, made available to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said the Presidential aircraft was tasked to perform a special mission to Malabo Tuesday, 3 March 2015.

It said, on departure from the Kotoka International Airport, the crew experienced slight operational problems with the computer system and 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 and 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,” it said.

According to the statement, it was observed however that the left wheels were on fire and 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,” it said.

The statement said, preliminary investigations indicated that the fire was caused as a result of friction between the wheels and the runway surface and Special Occurrence Report has been sent to the Air Force Headquarters and a special investigation team is being composed.

Source: GNA