Port Harcourt helicopter crash: NSIB continues recovery operation as no additional bodies discovered
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau NSIB
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau is actively engaged in recovery operations following the ditching of a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter off the coast of Bonny Finima on Thursday, October 24.
The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation, had eight individuals onboard.
As of today, divers have begun underwater searches but faced challenges due to limited visibility and difficult conditions, as revealed in a statement obtained from the NSIB’s Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, on Sunday.
The statement confirmed that no wreckage or critical components, including the black box, have been located.
The statement partly reads, “As of 11:55 AM today, divers began setting up and checking equipment to conduct an underwater search and recovery, followed by preliminary sweeping operations at 2:15 PM. However, by 4:30 PM, diving activities were suspended due to the loss of daylight. Recovery operations are set to resume tomorrow at 9:00 AM local time.
“Despite extensive search efforts, no wreckage or critical components – such as the black box, Flight Data Recorder (FDR), or Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) – have yet been located due to the challenging conditions of the operating environment, limited visibility at depth and human divers’ operational constraints.
“To enhance recovery efforts, the NSIB is working to deploy a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) equipped to operate at depths of up to 1,000 meters. With its advanced cameras, sensors, and Tether Management System (TMS), the ROV will enable the NSIB team to conduct detailed surveys, collect environmental data, and capture critical evidence essential to understanding the cause of the incident. The ROV’s capacity for close inspections and light manipulation tasks will be invaluable in such deep-water environments, where it will aid in assessing wreckage conditions, gathering vital data, and developing insights into potential causes.”
However, the NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh, expressed condolences to the families affected and underscored the Bureau’s commitment to transparency and thorough investigation.
Badeh said, “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of the crew and passengers involved in this tragic event.
“We recognise the depth of this loss, and I assure you that all efforts are fully underway. Our priority is to recover and analyze all necessary data to bring clarity to the families and the nation.”
The NSIB according to the statement is collaborating with various agencies to ensure a comprehensive recovery process and urges the public to refrain from speculation during this sensitive time.
“The NSIB is collaborating closely with an amalgamated team of search, rescue, and recovery units comprising various government agencies and private entities. The Bureau urges the public to avoid speculation, emphasizing the importance of respecting the integrity of the recovery and investigation as they progress.
“The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency and accountability, continually working to enhance transportation safety across Nigeria,” the statement enunciated.
