In a recent statement, the NSIB announced the discovery of a helicopter crash site, marking progress in the ongoing safety investigation. Learn more about the findings and next steps.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announced that its team has found the wreckage of the helicopter that crashed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
This information comes from Bimbo Oladeji, the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB.
“The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announced on Thursday evening that the combined team and partners spearheading the search and recovery efforts for the downed Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registered as 5N BQG, have successfully located its wreckage.”
On October 24, 2024, a helicopter managed by Eastwind Aviation with eight people onboard made an emergency landing in the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima.
The NSIB announced that the wreckage was discovered during recovery dives last night, situated about 0.775 nautical miles from the FPSO Adoon at a depth of 42 meters. The coordinates are recorded as Latitude 04° 13.634′ N and Longitude 008° 19.442′ E. Recovery efforts for the helicopter’s wreckage are ongoing, with the tail boom already successfully retrieved and lifted out of the water today.
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Following the move, NSIB’s Director General Alex Badeh Jr praised the allied team and partners for their recovery efforts.
“Finding the wreckage is a crucial step in our quest to comprehend the circumstances of this tragic accident,” he stated.
The commitment and collaboration demonstrated by everyone involved have been outstanding. We are committed to carrying out a comprehensive investigation to offer clarity and closure for the families impacted.
The agency reports that additional efforts to recover the wreckage are ongoing.
This development occurred just days after the helicopter, operated by East Wind Aviation and contracted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), crashed in the waterways of Rivers State’s capital.
The aircraft departed from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) and was headed towards the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig.
Eight people were confirmed to be on board, but only four bodies have been recovered so far.
