Caverton Twin Otter Blocks Bonny Runway
Caverton Helicopters' Twin Otter which is on contract to the Nigerian LNG project, today ran off the runway at Mobil Producing Nigeria's, Bonny airstrip when trying to turn round short instead of using the turning area at the runway threshold. The aircraft ran off the runway, causing the starborad undercarriage leg to become damaged and the runway is now closed to fixed wing traffic. Nobody was hurt thank goodness. The NCAA have ordered the aircraft left where it is until accident investigators have visited there.
The Twin Otter has been flying LNG passengers to Mobil's airstrip ever since the decision was taken to terminate helicopter flights direct to the LNG residential area, previously carried out by an AW139 of Aero Contractors.
As the Managing Director of MPN was waiting to fly to the airstrip, I dare say there will be questions asked as to whether Caverton may continue to operate to there.