The helicopter that was carrying Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa and several others crash-landed and caught fire following a technical glitch, the Kampala Report has learnt.
The helicopter number 5X ABR 412 belonging to BAR Aviation had Tayebwa and six others on board when it crash-landed at Nyakisharara airfield in Mbarara City at around 9.30 pm on Saturday.
And now the Kampala Report has learnt that the aircraft crash-landed shortly after take-off.
The Deputy Speaker, using another helicopter no N236LC, had attended State Minister Phionah Nyamutoro’s Thanksgiving in Nebbi District without any incident. The same function was presided over by President Museveni.
However, on the same day, Tayebwa had an introduction ceremony of the daughter of Dr Silver Mugisha, the NWSC managing director, in Bushenyi District to attend.
Consequently, the helicopter proceeded to Bushenyi. Later, at around 6pm, Tayebwa and his team concluded the Bushenyi function and proceeded to Nyakisharara airstrip so as to fly to Kampala.
However, the pilot claimed that it was already late and his helicopter had no lights
The company brought in an emergency once from Entebbe being piloted by Barrack Orland, the CEO/Director of Bar Aviation.
But at around 9.30pm after taking off, it hovered around and crash landed in a green grass within the airport and immediately caught fire after the passengers had exited.
The plane with 7 passengers, including the Deputy Speaker, his body guard, 3women and 2men all came out safely without any injury.
Tayebwa on Sunday later confirmed that he was safe. However, this did not stop some of his friends from visiting him at his home to check on his health status.
Bar Aviation operates with a fleet of Eurocopter EC130, B505 Jet Ranger X, Bell 206 Jet Ranger and Bell 421EPi aircraft as well as a range of helicopters.
