The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) reports that its team has located the wreckage of the helicopter that crashed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
This information was provided by Bimbo Oladeji, the NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance.
“The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announces that the allied team and partners leading the search and recovery efforts for the downed Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG, have located its wreckage,” Oladeji said in a statement Thursday night.
Eastwind Aviation’s helicopter, which had eight people on board, ditched in the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima on October 24, 2024.
The NSIB reported that “the wreckage was discovered during last night’s recovery dives, approximately 0.775 nautical miles from the FPSO Adoon.” It was found at a depth of 42 metres, with coordinates 04° 13.634′ N and 008° 19.442′E. Recovery attempts for the helicopter’s wreckage are now ongoing. The helicopter’s tail boom was successfully retrieved and hoisted from the water today.
In response, NSIB Director General Alex Badeh Jr praised the allied team and partners’ recovery efforts.
“Locating the wreckage is a crucial milestone in our efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident,” he told reporters. “The devotion and cooperation demonstrated by all involved parties have been extraordinary, and we are determined to carrying out a thorough investigation to provide clarity and closure to the families of those affected.”
According to the agency, more efforts to collect the wreckage are underway.
This comes just days after the helicopter, operated by East Wind Aviation on behalf of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), crashed along the waters in Rivers State’s capital.
The aircraft had taken off from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) and was heading for the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil facility.
Eight people were verified on board, however only four dead have been recovered thus far.
