Crew escapes unhurt as military copter crashes in PH

A NIGERIAN  Air Force helicopter Thursday crashed on the runway of NAF Base in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, days after one of its jets exploded in Niger Republic .
The incident, which occurred in the morning, resulted in the explosion of the aircraft minutes after the crash.
"The plane regularly engages in routine flight parade in the area, but this morning it crashed on the runway and started smoking. Suddenly, a spell of explosions followed," a civilian working for a servicing firm at the Base narrated.
He further said the condition of the pilot and co-pilot  could not be determined as they were said to have fled the aircraft before it exploded.
Meanwhile, A  NAF statement, which reportedly confirmed the incident, said the crew escaped unharmed.
It identified the facility as a Russian-made Mi-24B attack helicopter. The statement said an investigation into the cause of the crash has begun.