Ghanaian Pilot saves the day as he makes an emergency landing of Qatar Airways plane in Istanbul

A Qatar Airways passenger plane, Airbus 330, bound for Doha has made an emergency landing at Istanbul’s Atatürk airport due to an engine fire believed to have been caused by a bird.

All passengers and crew disembarked as normal, the Gulf airline said in a statement.

“Qatar Airways can confirm that today’s QR240 from Istanbul Atatürk airport to Doha has returned to Istanbul and has landed safely,” the carrier said in a statement.

Aviation officials told AFP the incident was caused by a suspected bird strike that caused one of its engines to catch fire.

The spokeswoman could not confirm a report by broadcaster CNN Turk that one of the plane’s engines caught fire.

The pilot,Capt. Albert Barney Abuga, followed all proper safety procedures, Qatar Airways said.

The Airbus A330, was carrying 298 passengers and 14 crew, according to the airline.

Qatar Airways is one of the biggest carriers in the Middle East.

The pilot who achieved this feat, Capt. Albert Barney Abuga is a Ghanaian Pilot, a product of St. Augustine’s College from 1975 to 1977 coming from St. John Secondary School where he had his O’ level.

He was trained and flew with Ghana Airways and left to join Singapore Airlines and on to others airlines. He has over 30 years experience as a pilot.

10.-Atatürk-airport-in-Istanbul.-The-Airbus-330-had-been-heading-to-Doha.-Photograph-Ozan-KoseAFPGetty-Images Ghanaian Pilot saves the day as he makes an emergency landing of Qatar Airways plane in Istanbul — Atatürk airport in Istanbul. The Airbus 330 had been heading to Doha. Photograph- Ozan Kose:AFP:Getty Images

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29 comments

Peter Atare Nawurah August 23, 2016 9:23 am

Wow!weldone uncle Albert.You have made the family and Ghana proud! God bless you!! …

kenneth.ashigbey August 23, 2016 1:37 pm

Yes he has made Ghana proud. But what do you expect of an Apsu

RAS CALEB APPIAH-LEVI August 27, 2016 10:31 pm

YES, APSUNIANS ARE THE BEST

Ebenezer Sackey August 23, 2016 10:39 am

I like your tilt. It’s allowed in journalism. Otherwise i would have said Capt Abuga, the Ghanaian pilot was a product of St John’s School Sekondi. He later sat for his ‘A’ levels at st augustines college. Augusco is trying to take the credit.

kenneth.ashigbey August 23, 2016 1:36 pm

Chief this is my blog, so like noses, I will have my slant. I agree we share him. He is a Saint as well as an Apsu

St Francis Ashun September 1, 2016 9:04 pm

Haha APSU and Saints come from same mother….more of a Saint though …..

Al August 23, 2016 3:31 pm

This is interesting. On his Facebook profile, he says he went to St John’s School, Sekondi.
“Albert Barney Abuga
Captain at Qatar Airways
Went to St. John’s School, Sekondi
Lives in Doha, Qatar”
St Augustine’s college should come again. Anyways, still a proud Ghanaian. Kudos Captain!!

kenneth.ashigbey August 23, 2016 6:44 pm

Yes he did O’Level in St. John, but it was not good enough, he had to come to the seniors of the the Saints, he had to come to a college – St. Augustines College. But this is bigger than an old school. It is about celebrating Ghana.

ABENA Anima August 23, 2016 5:18 pm

We are all Ghananains and shud be thankful to God !!!!
St Johns , St Augustine’s , Baako per !!!!!
Let’s All take the credit !!!!

kenneth.ashigbey August 23, 2016 6:41 pm

This is about Ghana & we should celebrate him for making Ghana proud

Raj Saibu Tamanjah August 23, 2016 5:03 pm

Oh when the saints……go marching in, oh when the saints go marching in……Lord i want….to be in the number, oh when the saints go marching in!
Great job from an old saint. Very proud of you, Captain Abuga.

kenneth.ashigbey August 23, 2016 6:42 pm

Yes

Simonne Amegashie August 23, 2016 5:54 pm

I am terribly proud of Captain Abuga. Can’t contain myself. Thank you Sir.

kenneth.ashigbey August 23, 2016 6:41 pm

We need to celebrate our people. we do not do enough of that

Kojo Arkhurst August 24, 2016 2:02 am

salute Sir…Good job..

Roger Musah Langboung August 24, 2016 4:09 am

Captain Albert Abuga is a great man, he will leave long. We are very proud of you. You bi former barracks boy ampa.

KOBINA Ebo. August 24, 2016 5:55 am

Capt. Abuja, I am so elated and proud about this feat,
the St.John and Apsu banter makes me more excited
In the end, we’re all proud Ghanaians!

kenneth.ashigbey August 24, 2016 7:03 pm

Most def, it had to be a product of a St. school & college

Kwesi APPIAH August 24, 2016 6:10 am

Pilot Abuga was a fine basketball player. If my memory is right, he was also Fr Kelly House’s assistant prefect.

kenneth.ashigbey August 24, 2016 7:02 pm

Thanks Apsu Dr. Appiah for reading the story and giving us more fila

Alex Kojo Amaadzie August 24, 2016 6:31 am

I am sure all Ghanaians are proud of Captain Abuga, an excellent product of Ghana Airways (where I worked with the captain as a flight despatcher). We are also thankful to his unknown co-pilot who helped to save all souls on board that flight. Good job Sirs.

kenneth.ashigbey August 24, 2016 7:02 pm

Thank God for the entire team that worked with the Captain, there were other including the cabin crew & the control tower team. However leadership is cause & everything else is effect.

Edmund August 24, 2016 1:44 pm

Am proud of you my brother.

Lawrence Atumbine August 25, 2016 3:56 pm

well done. God will continue to be your protector

Proud Hopsan , Canada August 26, 2016 2:30 pm

So proud, so proud , so proud of you Albert!!!. We thank God for His hand in this and for placing you where you (and team) needed to be to avert yet another airline catastrophe and protecting the families .

Doha Fraternity, I’m sure you are celebrating with Captain big time. What a highlight!

Tiyiamu August 26, 2016 6:55 pm

We the people of Chiana of the Kassena Nankana West district are proud of our son and brother Captain Abugah. We thank our ancestors and the almighty God for their protection over him at such a crucial period. May the Lord continue to use you to save and bless many more