Tourists in mid-air helicopter scare

A Victoria Falls helicopter carrying six Japanese tourists had to make a hasty landing at Baobab Primary School in the resort town yesterday afternoon after danger-warning signs started flashing on the aircraft.

All tourists on board were evacuated without any injuries from the primary school grounds and taken to their various hotels. A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the pilot engaged emergency procedures and looked for the nearest open space to land.

“The pilot was cautious in this case and had to find somewhere to land immediately after noticing an instrument light on the dashboard,” the source said.

Employers’ Association for the Tourism and Safari Operators (EATSO) president Clement Mukwasi confirmed the incident and applauded the pilot for taking a quick decision that averted possible danger to the tourists.

“I can confirm that an aircraft incident occurred at about 1545hours yesterday here in Victoria Falls, but all tourists were removed from the scene of the landing uninjured,” he said.

Meanwhile, aviation experts said precautionary landings are very common with helicopters in circumstances where pilots get warning lights or any sign associated with an emergence.

Source: Tourists in Vic Falls mid-air scare (NewsdzeZimbabwe 10/10/14)