Three dead as Nigerian Aviation Ministry helicopter crashes

The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has announced a fatal helicopter accident that occurred on Thursday, 24th October 2024.

The Sikorsky SK76, with registration number 5NBQG, was operated by East Wind Aviation and crashed into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean at around 11:22am.

According to the Ministry in a statement obtained by Diaspora Digital Media, signed by the ministry’s Head Press and Public Relations, Odutayo Oluseyi, the helicopter, which was en route from Port Harcourt Military Base to the NUIMANTAN oil rig, had eight persons on board.

“The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and emergency response teams were immediately activated,” stated the Ministry.

The Honourable Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, confirmed that search and rescue operations are currently ongoing.

“The Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and other relevant agencies are actively involved,” he added.

Despite the absence of an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal, efforts are being made to manually plot the crash location. “All available resources, including the military and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing any survivor(s),” the Minister explained.

“So far, three bodies have been recovered, and the search for potential survivors continues. The Ministry confirmed that neighbouring aerodromes have been alerted to provide further support in the ongoing rescue mission.

“The Honourable Minister of Aviation is actively working with all relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated response and to minimise casualties from this unfortunate incident,” the statement continued.

Keyamo however expressed condolences to the families of those on board. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those on board, and we are committed to providing the necessary support during this difficult time.”

The statement reads, “The Federal Ministry of Aviation has received the distressing report of a helicopter accident that occurred today, 24th October 2024, at about 11:22 am along the waterways in Port Harcourt. The helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was en-route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMANTAN oil rig.

“The aircraft, with eight persons on board, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and emergency response teams were immediately activated, and search and rescue operations are ongoing with the support of the Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and other relevant agencies. 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, and all available resources, including the military and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing any survivor(s). So far, three bodies have been recovered.”

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