The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) provided key updates today on the ongoing recovery and investigation of the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter crash, registered as 5N-BQG and operated by Eastwind Aviation.
The helicopter, which crashed on October 24, 2024, off the coast of Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, had eight people onboard at the time of the accident.
Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, reported on the coordinated efforts made by NSIB and its partners in today’s recovery activities, emphasizing the steps taken to locate and retrieve additional bodies and debris.
The following updates were reported on the coordinated recovery process:
9:35 AM: The recovery vessel HD Steadfast identified a body floating in the water, and the Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) was deployed to retrieve it.
9:40 AM: Communication was established with Antan HSE and Security to develop an evacuation plan for recovered bodies.
9:55 AM: Eastwind Aviation was contacted to arrange possible air ambulance support from Caverton Aviation.
10:40 AM: HD Steadfast deployed a drone for an aerial search, expanding efforts to locate additional bodies and debris.
10:45 AM: Rough seas complicated the body recovery, but HD Steadfast used its crane to transfer the remains to the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) deck.
10:49 AM: Upon notification that air ambulance services were unavailable, NSIB reached out to the Nigerian Navy for additional support.
11:15 AM: The FRC successfully secured the body and prepared it for transfer.
11:41 AM: An initial identification process began; investigators examined physical characteristics due to a lack of clothing on the body.
12:49 PM: The Nigerian Navy was engaged for support in transporting the body to shore.
1:08 PM: Eastwind Aviation shared crew photos for identification verification, which were distributed to supervisors at the crash site.
2:44 PM: A mortician, escorted by Antan Flight Coordinator, arrived at the Nigerian Air Force base to assist with body transfer to the morgue.
In the evening, around 8:00 PM, divers reported fragments of fiberglass and aluminum near the presumed crash location, indicating further adjustments may be required in the search area.
NSIB’s divers have been performing an intensive seabed search, informed by data on tides and the crash’s estimated location, about 1,850 meters west of the initial recovery point. The team encountered no locator beacon signal, prompting them to move closer to the FPSO deck, where previous signals were detected.
The agency has also deployed two vessels equipped with side-scan sonar to extend the search radius. Four additional sonar units are being dispatched from Port Harcourt and are expected to arrive tomorrow to aid in covering a wider area.
Currently, five bodies have been recovered, with the fifth showing advanced decomposition, necessitating specialized transport and handling to the morgue.
NSIB’s Director General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., commended the ongoing collaborative efforts and stated, “The recovery operation presents unique challenges due to environmental conditions, but our team and partners are committed to concluding this mission with professionalism and dignity. We appreciate the support from all parties, including the Nigerian Navy, for ensuring a respectful and diligent recovery process. Our priority is to uncover all necessary details to fully understand the cause of this accident, and our thoughts remain with the families affected.”
The NSIB continues to work alongside national and international partners, underscoring its mission to uphold aviation safety standards across Nigeria through a meticulous investigation and recovery process.
