The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has reported that a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter crashed approximately one kilometre from its intended destination in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, on Thursday.
NSIB Director General, Alex Badeh Jnr, disclosed this during an interview. He stated that the cause of the crash remains unclear, and a preliminary report on the incident will be released within 30 days.
The helicopter, registered as 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, had been engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The aircraft crashed at 11:22 a.m. along the waterways in Port Harcourt after departing from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) en route to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig.
There were eight people on board, with three bodies recovered so far.