Plane Archives - Leading Reporters

Air India confirmed on Thursday that its Flight 171 from the western city of Ahmedabad to London Gatwick had crashed in a “tragic accident”.

“With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today,” Air India chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said in a statement.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event,” he said, adding that an emergency centre has been activated and a support team set up for families seeking information.

At least 200 passengers were on board the aircraft, a local airport official told AFP.

“There were more than 200 passengers on board the aircraft,” an official at the Ahmedabad airport told AFP. Flight AI171 is listed as a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which can hold more than 200 passengers.

AFP

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has recounted how he survived a plane crash during a Thanksgiving service held in a church in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.

The details of the church Mr Wike gave the testimony are unknown as of press time.

According to the TELL newspaper, the aircraft he was aboard was a Bombardier Global Express 5000/6000 series jet, estimated to be worth N15 billion.

In a viral video obtained by premium times, the 57-year-old politician described the incident as a near-death experience.

While recounting the ordeal, the former governor of Rivers State said: “My wife had gone to Lagos to bring back my daughter, and she landed at the Air Force base. I thought, ‘Let me go to the base, and when they land, I’ll just board the plane and head to Lagos.’ I was joined by two of my friends, making three of us in total. Someone was already waiting for me in Lagos, whom I must see that night.

“About fifteen minutes after we took off, all we heard was a loud ‘gboom.’ The cabin crew started running. I asked what the problem was, and one of them said, ‘Sir, there’s a problem.’ I asked again, ‘What’s the problem?’ She ran off, then came back and said, ‘One engine is gone.’ The pilot later announced that it would be safer to turn back since we were headed to Lagos, and asked if we could return to Port Harcourt.”

Additionally, Mr Wike stated, “We looked at each other. By the grace of God, we landed safely. I hadn’t told my parents or many others that I was travelling.”

Meanwhile, before his Thanksgiving video went viral, social media buzzed with a clip that allegedly featured him praying while the pilots made frantic efforts to stabilise the jet.

The video, which was said to contain Mr Wike’s voice, showed the interior of an aircraft with the pilots speaking audibly in the background.

“Satan, you are a liar! Father, Father! Oh, Jehovah. Blood of Jesus! Father, it is time to prove yourself! Jesus, you are in charge! Ohhhh Jehovah! Save my soul, save my soul, save my soul!”

Plane

BREAKING: Plane carrying over 200 passengers crashes

Satan is a loser – Wike testifies in church on how he survived plane crash