…NSIB Commence Investigation

A Sikorsky helicopter with registration 5NBQG operated by East Wind Aviation, carrying six passengers and two crew members en-route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMANTAN oil rig Thursday crashed killing three passengers and five yet to be accounted for .

A statement signed by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development’s Head of Media, Mr. Oluseyi Odutayo, said that the Ministry received the distressing report of a helicopter accident that occurred Thursday, 24th October 2024, at about 11:22 am along the waterways in Port Harcourt.

The aircraft, the statement informed that chopper with eight persons on board, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau( NSIB) has been notified and emergency response teams were immediately activated, and search and rescue operations are ongoing with the support of the Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the NSIB, and other relevant agencies.

Neighbouring aerodromes, the statement said have also been notified for support.

The statement added that while no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was received, manual efforts to plot the location of the accident are underway, and all available resources, including the military and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing any survivor(s).

” So far, three bodies have been recovered.

‘ The Honourable Minister of Aviation is actively working with all relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated response and to minimise casualties from this unfortunate incident.

” Further information will be provided as details emerge.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those on board, and we are committed to providing the necessary support during this difficult time,”the statement said.

Meanwhile, NSIB said it has commenced investigation into the accident that happened near Bonny Finims.

According to a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji said the helicopter, carrying eight individuals – six passengers and two crew members – went down into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, off the coast of Calabar, during a routine flight on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at approximately 11:22 AM local time.
The aircraft was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the Anton Offshore Facility when it lost contact with air traffic controllers around 10:52 AM. Operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), the helicopter did not transmit an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal, prompting authorities to manually plot the accident’s location to expedite search and rescue efforts.
Search and rescue operations were activated immediately, with the NSIB collaborating closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Armed Forces and other relevant agencies.

Emergency response teams are actively working to locate survivors, with three bodies recovered so far.

The search continues with support from neighbouring aerodromes, military units, and low-flying aircraft.
Speaking on the accident, the Director General of the NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this tragic incident. We are fully committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding this accident. We will work diligently to ensure that all necessary information is collected. The public must avoid speculation during this sensitive time, as our focus is on providing clarity and accountability through our investigation.”
” The NSIB is actively preparing to dispatch a go-team to the scene to gather evidence and conduct a comprehensive analysis. A preliminary report will be issued in due course to provide updates on the investigation’s progress.
“We remain dedicated to promoting transparency and accountability through our independent accident investigation process, ultimately enhancing transportation safety in Nigeria,” NSIB said.