The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announced late Thursday that the wreckage of the helicopter that crashed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has been located.
The search and recovery efforts, led by NSIB's allied team and partners, have pinpointed the wreckage of the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5 N BQG, which crashed on October 24, 2024.
The helicopter was operated by Eastwind Aviation and carried eight individuals onboard, according to a statement from NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji.
Oladeji confirmed that the helicopter, which ditched in the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, was located approximately 0.775 nautical miles from the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel Adoon.
Divers found the wreckage at a depth of 42 meters, with coordinates recorded at Latitude 04° 13.634′ N and Longitude 008° 19.442′ E.
Recovery operations are ongoing, with the helicopter’s tail boom already retrieved from the water.
NSIB’s Director General, Alex Badeh Jr., commended the teamwork and commitment demonstrated by those involved in the search and recovery efforts, calling the discovery a "critical milestone.”
“Locating the wreckage is a crucial step in our mission to uncover the circumstances of this tragic accident,” Badeh stated.
“The dedication and cooperation shown by all involved parties have been exceptional, and we are committed to a thorough investigation to provide clarity and closure to the families of those affected,” he added.
The helicopter crash occurred while the aircraft was en route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig.
The helicopter was engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for operations related to oil and gas logistics.
Eight individuals were reported onboard the helicopter when it went down.
As of the latest update, only four bodies have been recovered, with search and recovery efforts still underway.
Further investigations and retrieval operations will continue as NSIB and its partners work to recover additional remains and analyze the wreckage to understand the causes of the accident.
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