US, France begin probe of NNPC helicopter crash

The United States and France are set to join Nigerian investigators in examining the wreckage of a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean last month, the Federal Government announced on Wednesday.

This was made known during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed that representatives from both countries will collaborate with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) in the investigation.

Keyamo explained that the involvement of the United States and France is due to the helicopter’s origins: the aircraft itself was manufactured in the U.S., while its engine was produced in France.

The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation and registered as 5N-BQG, went down off the coast of Bonny Finima on October 24, 2024, carrying six passengers and two crew members.

Five bodies have been recovered so far.

Keyamo explained that the helicopter’s engines and other critical components will be examined at the NSIB wreckage hangar in Abuja following a comprehensive teardown.

He said: “The United States, as the design and manufacturing country of the helicopter, has designated an investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to collaborate with us on this investigation. This investigator, accredited by the NTSB, is supported by a technical advisor from Sikorsky Aircraft.”

Meanwhile, France, as the engine’s country of design and manufacture, has appointed its own representative with support from a technical advisor from SAFRAN, the engine manufacturer.

According to Keyamo, the objective is to uncover safety issues and recommend changes to prevent similar accidents.

“We will examine the roles of human factors, machinery, and environmental conditions that may have contributed to this accident. We’ll also review the maintenance records and the crew’s training and medical history. So far, we have full cooperation from the operator, and all aviation agencies, including the NCAA, NAMA, and NiMet, are actively assisting the NSIB.”

He said, “Over 60 personnel, including divers and technical experts, were deployed to the site, using marine vessels and advanced equipment to scan the seabed, with depths ranging from 40 to 100 meters.

“Search and rescue operations continued nonstop for 14 days. So far, five bodies have been recovered, but one passenger and two crew members remain unaccounted for.”

Keyamo added that all the occupants of the helicopter when it crashed were Nigerian nationals.

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