In Ghana: Presidential jet catches fire

The Ghanaian Presidential jet on Tuesday, March 3, caught fire at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

The fire is said to have started while the Falcon 900 was attempting to take off for a journey to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

A statement released by the Director of Public Relations of Ghana’s Armed Forces, Lieutenant Commander Andy La-Anyane said that “the fire was caused as a result of friction between the wheels and the runway surface"

The aircraft had attempted an initial take-off which failed before making a second attempt during which the blaze occurred and the plane lost two main wheels.

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

“As a result, the aircraft returned to the Air Force Base in Accra to reset the computers" the statement added.

“During the second run for take-off, the aircraft lost two main left wheels but 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 continued.

 “It was observed however that the left wheels were on ghanafire. Emergency procedures were followed with the disembarkation of the passengers and the fighting of the fire. 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,” the statement concluded.

No information has been released as to who was on board the plane and if there were any casualties in the incident.