The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Navy, and HydroDive, has successfully recovered the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG.
The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation, ditched into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima on October 24, 2024, while transporting eight passengers. The recovery of the “black box” marks a significant milestone in the ongoing investigation.
According to a statement by Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, search and recovery operations have been carried out in collaboration with local and international partners to locate the victims and retrieve critical components of the aircraft.
The recovered FDR and CVR are vital in helping investigators piece together the events leading to the accident. NSIB has secured the devices for analysis at its data laboratory, where specialists will extract and examine data on flight performance and cockpit communications to determine the cause of the crash.
Despite this progress, three individuals remain unaccounted for, and search efforts continue. NSIB Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. commended the recovery teams and emphasised the significance of the investigation:
“The recovery of the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder marks a monumental step in understanding what led to this tragic accident. The black box holds vital information that will provide invaluable insight into the sequence of events leading up to the accident, which will help us determine the cause and inform any necessary safety recommendations. While our thoughts are with the families of those still unaccounted for, concerted efforts are being made to find the missing individuals and provide answers to the families affected by this accident,” he stressed.
NSIB reiterated its commitment to conducting a transparent investigation that adheres to international aviation safety standards. Further updates will be released as the investigation progresses and significant findings emerge.
