Three persons who were onboard Sikorsky SK76 helicopters with registration 5N BQG, which ditched in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Bonny Finima on October 24, 2024, are still missing.
On the said date, the helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation, was transporting eight passengers to the NNPLC facility when the accident occurred.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said once again, “Our condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of the deceased victims of the accident.”
He explained that the USA 1998-manufactured aircraft departed Port Harcourt Military Airport with eight persons onboard, six passengers, and two crew members.
The Minister stated that when the accident occurred, “over 60 personnel were mobilised to the site, including professional divers and other technical experts.”
“We deployed marine vessels and diver boats equipped with sophisticated, state-of-the-art gadgets for scanning the seabed and tracking the depth of 40 to 100 metres of the sea around the vicinity of the accident.”
“The search and rescue operation was interrupted several times by heavy rains, oceanic currents, and strong winds. It is imperative to mention that the search and rescue operations continued unabated on a day-and-night basis, that is, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for 14 days, non-stop, day and night.”
“On day one of the accident, three bodies and some debris suspected to be from the crashed helicopter were spotted floating and were picked up.”
“So over time, five bodies identified to be the deceased passengers were recovered, while one passenger and two crew members are yet to be found. So we have three bodies that are yet to be found,” he stated.
The Minister said, “At midnight, on the 31st of October 2024, the wreckage of the helicopter was finally located at a depth of 42 metres. Although scattered in pieces, major parts and components of the helicopter, except for the flight recorder, which is known as the black box, were recovered.”
“The search and recovery effort continued until the flight recorder was found on Friday, the Eighth (8) of November 2024.”
Keyamo stated that the search and recovery operation took 14 days. “We have taken efforts to also provide the flight recorder for you. It’s going straight to the lab, but we thought that you should also have a view of the flight recorder that was recovered.”
“The black box that was recovered is going to the laboratory for analysis. The NSIB must take possession of the wreckage, so it’s actually on its way to Abuja.”
He said the helicopter engines and related components will be thoroughly examined at “our wreckage facility. The participating states on this issue, the United States of America as a state of design and manufacturer, have appointed an NTSB investigator.”
“So we are cooperating and collaborating with the United States, where it (the aircraft) was manufactured. Meanwhile, France, as the state of design and manufacturer of the engines, has appointed an accredited representative to assist with technical advice.”
“Now, all things being equal, we will publish the plenary report on the NSIB website within 30 days. Now, usually, it takes up to a year or more to develop the final report and possible safety recommendations,” he noted.
The minister reassured that the search for the bodies of the three deceased victims will continue.
Also speaking, the Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., said the findings of the investigation will be made public.
He noted that it was too early to presume the possible cause of the accident.
