The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has announced the commencement of an investigation into the helicopter crash involving a Sikorsky SK76C, with registration 5N-BQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation.
The incident, which took place on Thursday, October 24, 2024, occurred off the coast of Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.
The NSIB, in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, confirmed that the aircraft was carrying six passengers and two crew members when it went down during a routine flight.
The helicopter had departed from the Port Harcourt Military Base and was heading to the Anton Offshore facility. Communication with air traffic controllers was lost at around 10:52 AM, shortly before the crash, which was reported at 11:22 AM.
“The helicopter was operating under Visual Flight Rules but did not transmit an Emergency Locator Transmitter signal,” Oladeji said. “This led authorities to manually plot the accident’s location to accelerate search and rescue operations.”
Search and rescue efforts, coordinated by the NSIB in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency , the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and the Nigerian Armed Forces, have so far resulted in the recovery of three bodies.
The search for survivors is still ongoing, with additional support from military units, neighbouring aerodromes, and low-flying aircraft.
The Director General of the NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., expressed the Bureau’s commitment to uncovering the causes of the crash.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this tragic incident. We are fully dedicated to gathering all the necessary information and conducting a thorough investigation,” Badeh stated.
He further urged the public to refrain from speculating about the incident, emphasizing the need for accuracy and transparency. “A preliminary report will be issued in due course to update the public on the investigation’s progress. We are focused on ensuring clarity and accountability, with the ultimate goal of improving transportation safety in Nigeria,” Badeh added.
The NSIB is preparing to deploy a go-team to the crash site to collect evidence and perform a comprehensive analysis.
