Chopper crash causes euphoria in Tutume
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday March 3, 2017 15:45
The Botswana registered helicopter, A2-HJR based in Kasane crashed behind Liz General dealer in Tutume Central, close to the bus rank and the main central business district (CBD) on Monday.
The Payrus Eagle Robinson 44 chopper crashed just minutes after take-off on a football ground behind Tutume Central Primary School.
The distance between the crash scene and the landing area measures approximately 200 metres.
There were three passengers and a pilot. The aircraft, which was picking a passenger in Tutume, collided with a power line in bad weather following take-off. There were no casualties and the four people have since been discharged from hospital.
When aviation accidents occur, they mostly attract a lot of attention and debate from members of the public.
Usually, people speculate about what could have been the cause of the accident and how the victims have been affected.
Human error, shortage of fuel and bad weather conditions are some of the main topics that feature when people discuss the cause of a crash.
But in Tutume the excitement should not come as a surprise as it was the first time an accident of this kind in the village.
Tutume is a village transforming into an urban area, but just like in many villages issues of aviation, including accidents are not common in the village.
On Tuesday residents of Tutume made a beeline for the crash scene where they would take a glimpse at the orange stricken chopper and perhaps offer their opinions.
Some travelled from as far as Magapatona ward to marvel at the aircraft, which was relatively intact though surrounded by a police barricade tape. Only its tail had ben damaged, perhaps as a result of its contact with the power line.
The villagers’ discussion mainly revolved around how the aircraft looks from close range. Majority of the residents acknowledge that it was their first time to see an aircraft from close range. Often times they see a tiny object making noise in the sky.
Keogalale Magwai, 65, of Madikwe ward, who resides close to where the helicopter had landed, agreed that although a crash is not what any human being can wish for, it was a blessing in disguise to the villagers.
“We only see aircraft in the sky. I was actually happy to see the aircraft landing because it is rare to see such things in villages. I used to think that an aircraft is a complex object, but I now realise it is relatively simple. It just resembles a car,” she said.
Magwai said she saw the helicopter landing and when it took off.
“Seconds after it took off, I heard a heavy blast and then there was sudden electricity blackout. I did not see the plane crashing. I only heard from neighbours,” she said.
Kebadiretse Ndale, 23, of Selolwane ward gave an eyewitness account of the accident. She said that immediately after the aircraft had landed, she went to the scene to capture some pictures.
“I was there until it took off and I saw it crash. It was the first time I have witnessed an aircraft accident and I was very shocked,” she said.
However, Ndale said that the crash was so sudden she could not capture anything.
“I have to admit that although a crash is not a tolerable incident, I am quiet excited to see the helicopter from close range.
In fact, I used to think that it lands in special areas not an ordinary ground like this one,” says the unemployed woman. Elisa Chindu also 23, of Thini ward also said the accident came as a blessing in disguise.
“Such incidents are painful, but some of us are learning new things we didn’t know about helicopters,” he said.
“I didn’t know a helicopter could operate like buses and taxis where it goes around picking and dropping passengers.
This is also the first time I see a helicopter this close.”
A crime scene investigator, Olefile Moakofhi, who was at the scene on Tuesday maintained that the Robinson 44 flight might have crashed because the pilot did not see the power line, which was obscured by long trees
“We will assess the information we have gathered from the crime scene and release the final outcome of the investigations at a time I cannot reveal now,” Moakofhi said.
He added, “Apart from the information we have gathered from the scene we are interested in interviewing some of the people who are said to have been playing at a ground where the helicopter landed. They are said to have been on sight when the helicopter landed.”