21 Jul 2019

Office of the President (OP) and Botswana Defence Force (BDF) say a presidential helicopter carrying President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi was forced to make an immediate precautionary landing while taxiing at Francistown airport upon arrival from Mathangwane on Saturday afternoon.

A press release from OP and BDF says while taxiing for landing at Francistown Airport, the pilots reported an engine fire indication where upon they promptly executed an engine shut down and landing on runway 13.

The emergency response at the airport, the release says, also responded to provide assistance with fire retardant foam, adding that all five passengers and the three aircrew members were safe and without injuries.

“The BDF wishes to assure the nation that all required maintenance and safety procedures are taken to assure the safe passage of the president as well as any other principles in their care. The same care is taken for the safe operation of all BDF flights regardless of who is on-board,” says the release.

“With regard to this incident the commander of  BDF has ordered an investigation through a board of enquiry to determine the cause of the engine fire,  actions of the aircrews and all other circumstances surrounding this incident,” states the release. ENDS