The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has given an update concerning the recovery operation and investigation following the ditching of a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation on October 24, 2024, saying one more body was retrieved from the ocean earlier today.
According to the information gathered from the Aviation Ministry, all eight people on board died in the accident.
In a statement from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), signed by its Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, the body was retrieved by the Fast Rescue Craft (FRC).
It was further revealed that no clothing was found on the body.
The statement noted, “The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau continues to work in close coordination with national and international partners to ensure a diligent recovery and investigative process in line with its mandate to promote transportation safety across Nigeria.”
The statement reads:
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) continued its coordinated recovery operation and investigation following the ditching of a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation.
The accident, which occurred on October 24, 2024, took place off the coast of Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean. and involved eight individuals onboard.
Today’s efforts have yielded the following updates:
- 09:35 AM: HD Steadfast vessel identified a body in the water. Recovery actions were initiated by deploying the Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) for retrieval of the body.
- 09:40 AM: Antan HSE and Security teams were contacted to coordinate an evacuation plan.
- 09:55 AM, Eastwind Aviation was contacted to explore possible air ambulance support from Caverton Aviation.
- 10:40 AM: HD Steadfast deployed a drone to conduct an extended aerial search of the area to locate additional floating objects or bodies.
- 10:45 AM: Sea conditions presented challenges to the FRC crew for recovery. Coordination with HD Steadfast allowed the team to use its crane to retrieve the body safely and transfer it to the FPSO deck, despite inclement weather.
- 10:49 AM: Following Eastwind’s notification that air ambulance providers were unavailable, NSIB engaged the Nigerian Navy for logistical support.
- 11:15 AM: The body was successfully retrieved by the FRC and prepared for transfer to the FPSO deck.
- 11:41 AM: An identification process commenced; while no clothing was found on the body, investigators examined specific characteristics for identity confirmation.
- 12:49 PM: The Nigerian Navy was contacted to assist with body evacuation to land.
- 1:08 PM: Eastwind Aviation provided crew photographs to support physical identification, which were forwarded to the field superintendent and Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) for verification.
- 2:44 PM: The mortician arrived at the Nigerian Air Force base and was escorted to the Navy base by the AntanFlight Coordinator to prepare for the transport of the remains.
- 8:00 PM: Divers encountered fragments of clean fibreglass and aluminium, likely from the aircraft. These findings will guide the search grid’s adjustments as NSIB aims to intensify recovery operations within the accident vicinity.
ADDITIONAL RECOVERY EFFORTS AND EXPANDED SEARCH
Seabed and Surface Searches: Divers have remained active on the seabed, conducting a thorough sweep based on recent information about the crash site’s possible location. Calculations incorporating tidal flow direction, strength, and timing indicate the helicopter likely entered the water approximately 1,850 meters west of the initial body recovery area. The search was relocated accordingly, but no signal from the locator beacon was detected at this position. The team has since moved closer to the FPSO, where beacon signals were previously received.
Search Area Expansion: NSIB has mobilised two vessels equipped with side-scan sonar to broaden the search range. Four additional side-scan sonar units are en route from Port Harcourt and will be deployed tomorrow morning to enhance search coverage…
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau continues to work in close coordination with national and international partners to ensure a diligent recovery and investigative process in line with its mandate to promote transportation safety across Nigeria.
