Starbow Crash-Lands At Tamale

The aircraft after the purported crash at the Tamale airport

Starbow Airline, a private domestic airline carrying passengers from Accra to Tamale in the morning of Tuesday, October 6, was said to have crash landed at the Tamale Airport.

The cause of the event was not immediately known except that sources at the airport and those close to the airline said the pilot was most likely to have lost control of the plane or miscalculated the distance from the air to the ground hence, landing before reaching the new runway, and causing damage to the front tyre.

An eyewitness at the scene also said he heard a loud sound around where the construction of the new runway was being done, and so he rushed to the scene and discovered that the Starbow aircraft had crashed.

Staff of the airline and management of the airport were mute about the incident, but BUSINESS GUIDE's source at the airport said there were no causalities but almost all the passengers that disembarked from the plane were seen shivering, traumatized and looking up to the heavens as a sign of appreciation to God for saving their lives.

Experts at the airport have said it would take a lot of work and commitment to tow the damaged plane to the entrance of the runway, considering the level of expertise and towing equipment currently at the Tamale Airport.

Meanwhile, management of the airline has issued a press statement on the event.

James Eric Antwi, CEO of Starbow, has refuted reports that the aircraft crash landed. According to him, it only bumped into a ramp after it had landed.

In a statement issued yesterday and signed by the CEO, the company said the incident was “minor.”

'Starbow's BAe aircraft with registration 9GSBB went through the barricade at the end of the Tamale runway and stopped. It is noteworthy that both the crew and the passengers disembarked safely via the stairs.

'Our sincere concern goes out to all of the passengers, friends and families involved. We are still gathering the facts concerning the event. Starbow is cooperating fully with the Authorities in-charge,' it indicated.

Noting that there was need for further explanation to all who cared to know about the incident via its toll-free number 0245000000, the company gave assurance that it would inform the media of any significant additional information as soon as that became available.

From: Kombat Eric/Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Tamale