Military, NEMA comb sea for crashed helicopter’s passengers

A Sikorsky SK76 helicopter operated by East Wind Aviation crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, killing three persons.

The military, National Emergency Management Agency and emergency locators immediately began search operations for the passengers of the helicopter.

The aircraft, conveying workers of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, ditched into the ocean and no one was yet to have come out alive from the incidents as of the time of filing this report.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the unfortunate incident to our correspondent through a statement signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Odutayo Oluseyi.

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The accident occurred at approximately 11:22 am on Thursday along the waterways near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, while the helicopter was en route from Port Harcourt Military Base to the NUIMANTAN oil rig.

The aircraft had eight people on board, six of which were staffers of the NNPC, and two crew members.

Oluseyi expressed the minister’s deep pains and extended his prayers to the families of the deceased.

“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.

“While no Emergency Locator Transmitter signal was received, manual efforts to determine the accident location are underway.

“All available resources, including the military and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing any survivors. So far, three bodies have been recovered,” the statement read.

An incident report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau explained how the aircraft came down into the Atlantic Ocean.

The NSIB, in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, stated that the helicopter, which was carrying eight individuals including “six passengers and two crew members”, went down into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, off the coast of Calabar, during a routine flight.

The PUNCH had reported earlier that three people lost their lives in the helicopter crash in Rivers state.

Olajide explained that the tragedy struck after the helicopter, which was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base, lost contact with controllers around 10:52 am.

He added that the sudden loss of contact between the control room and the aircraft forced the authorities to manually plot the accident’s location to expedite search and rescue efforts.

The statement reads: “The aircraft was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base to the Anton Offshore Facility when it lost contact with air traffic controllers around 10:52 am. Operating under Visual Flight Rules, the helicopter did not transmit an Emergency Locator Transmitter 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, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, 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.”

The Director General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh, expressed sorrow over the incident, adding that his prayers were with the families of the deceased.

Badeh stated, “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.”

Additionally, the NSIB said it was 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,” the NSIB said.

Also in a statement by the NNPCL signed by its spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, the company said the appropriate authorities had been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation.

He added that the company’s prayers were with the families of the deceased, promising that updates would be given as events unfolded.

The statement read: “On the 24th of October 2024, about 11:22 am, we lost contact with the Helicopter – Register Number: 5NBQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, that took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN. The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation.

“There were eight persons on board (six passengers and two crew members). The appropriate authorities have been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation, who have since issued a press statement.“Search and rescue missions are currently ongoing. So far, three bodies have been recovered. We shall continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates as the events unfold.

“Our prayers are with the passengers, crew and their respective families at this very difficult time. We will continue to do everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation.”

In the history of Nigerian aviation, a large number of air crashes involving passenger planes have been recorded.

The Kano crash of BOAC Argonaut in 1956 may have been the beginning of all the unfortunate air crashes that followed suit.

While some were as fatal as claiming the lives of the entire passengers and crew, some recorded notable survivals.

The last in history in the country occurred in 2021, as the NAF Beechcraft King Air aircraft crashed en route to Kaduna International Airport from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.