Helicopter crash: NSIB begins probe as search continues for missing passengers
25 October 2024 |
3:10 am
Tragedy struck yesterday as a helicopter which left a Port Harcourt military base for an oil rig crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, near Bonny Finima, off the coast of Calabar.
• NNPC confirms personnel on crashed chopper, three dead
• Eastwind Aviation seeks respect for affected families’ privacy
Tragedy struck yesterday as a helicopter which left a Port Harcourt military base for an oil rig crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, near Bonny Finima, off the coast of Calabar.
Confirming the incident, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited said the helicopter that crashed in Rivers State, was heading to its floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) facility.
In a statement by NNPC spokesperson, Oluwafemi Soneye, the national oil company said it engaged the helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation. NNPC said at about 11:22 a.m., the company lost contact with the helicopter – register number: 5NBQG — after taking off from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) base in Port Harcourt.
Earlier, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development said three persons died in the helicopter crash. According to NNPC, eight persons were on board — six passengers and two crew members.
“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 families at this difficult time.”
This is as Eastwind Aviation Logistics appealed to the media and public to respect the privacy of the affected families following the crash of one of its helicopters, Sikorsky S76.
In a statement by Odiaka Vincent Iweze, the company said the helicopter was involved in an accident at approximately 11:30 a.m.
“Upon receiving this information, our emergency response team was convened immediately, and search and rescue mobilised to the scene, and these remain active at the time of this press release.
“The bodies of three of those on board have been recovered thus far, and identification procedures are currently underway. Search and rescue operations are currently ongoing for the remaining individuals.
“At this time, our immediate focus and priority is on the search and rescue efforts. We are working closely with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and we will provide updates as soon as we have more confirmed information from the ongoing search and rescue operations,” he said.
The company added: “Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones affected by this unfortunate incident. We understand this is an incredibly difficult and anxious time for them. Our dedicated team is providing direct support to the families, and we will continue to update them as we receive confirmed information.
“We kindly ask the media and public to respect the privacy of the affected families during this challenging period and we commit to releasing further statements and updates to the general public as verified information becomes available.”
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi, said the chopper ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean. “Neighbouring aerodromes have also been notified for support. While no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was received, manual efforts to plot the location of the accident 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,” Oluseyi stated.
A source in Bonny said he saw about five tugboats belonging to the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) and other companies sailing to the Finima area of Bonny for further search of the wreckage.
“I am at the waterside right now. I can’t see any sign of a crash. But I can confirm to you that about five tugboats belonging to NLNG and other companies are right now heading to Finima. Maybe that is where the crash occurred,” he said.
The NSIB said it has already commenced an investigation into the accident. 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 a.m. operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
Director General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., 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.”
He urged the public to avoid speculation during this sensitive time, as their focus is on providing clarity and accountability through its investigation. He said NSIB is actively preparing to dispatch a go-team to the scene to gather evidence and conduct a comprehensive analysis, assuring that a preliminary report will be issued in due course to provide updates on the investigation’s progress.
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