Mechanical fault fells UPDF chopper from Fort Portal skies
However, media reports indicate that at least one person, a woman identified as Peruth, has been rushed to hospital in Fort Portal following the chopper crash.
Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) helicopter developed a mechanical condition and crushed in a village in Fort Portal, Kabarole district, Brig Gen Felexi Kulayigye, the UPDF spokesperson has said.
“This morning our MI 24 helicopter developed a mechanical fault while in flight and the pilot made an emergency landing. Fortunately, no casualties both to the occupants of the plane and on the ground [were recorded].
A team has been dispatched from the UPDAF (Ugandan People’s Defence Force Air Force) headquarters under the command of the Deputy Air Force Commander, Gen Okid to establish what could have been the cause,” the spokesperson tweeted Saturday morning.
However, media reports indicate that at least one person, a woman identified as Peruth, has been rushed to hospital in Fort Portal following the chopper crash.
According to Daily Express, the helicopter crashed into a mud and wattle house in which the woman was staying at around 10 a.m in Saaka, just half a kilometer from the airfield.
The online publication quoting eyewitness reports that three helicopters had just taken off from Saaka airfield but one of them crashed into the house.
The witnesses said that two UPDF soldiers were seen disembarking from the helicopter.
