8 Feared Dead In Rivers Helicopter Crash

The minister of state for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has expressed deep sadness over the tragic incident involving a helicopter engaged by NNPC Limited.

Three bodies were recovered yesterday, while search was still ongoing as the helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation crashed into water in Port Harcourt, Rivers State after losing contact at approximately 11:22 am Thursday following taking from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route to the FPSO NUIMS ANTAN.

Operated by East Winds Aviation, the aircraft had eight people on board, including six passengers and two crew members.

The minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo in Abuja on Wednesday, noted that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), 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).

“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.

“We are actively working with all relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated response and to minimise casualties from this unfortunate incident. Further information will be provided as details emerge.

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,” Keyamo stated.

In his statement, Lokpobiri expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those affected. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, crew members, and their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We share in the grief and pain of the families, and we stand in solidarity with them as the search and rescue efforts continue.”

The minister stated that the Ministry will continue to support the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited as they monitor and manage the situation. “We will continue to offer support to the NNPC Limited in the ongoing rescue mission.”

This is as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited said the crashed helicopter was en-route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMANTAN oil rig.

NNPC spokesman Olufemi Soneye in a statement, confirmed that the helicopter had been engaged by NNPC.

The aircraft, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG, departed from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) en route to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig when it went down at 11:22 a.m. over the Port Harcourt waterways.

The aircraft ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, the authorities said in a statement, adding that rescue efforts have been activated.

Soneye, however, did not confirm the names or identity of the NNPC officials that were present in the chopper.

“On the 24th of October 2024, at about 11:22 am, we lost contact with the Helicopter – Register Number: 5NBQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, that took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN. The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation.

“There were eight persons on board, six passengers and two crew members. The appropriate authorities have been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation, who have since issued a press statement. Search and rescue missions are currently ongoing. So far, three bodies have been recovered.

“We shall continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates as the events unfold. Our prayers are with the passengers, crew and their respective families at this very difficult time. We assure that we will continue doing everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation,” Soneye said.

Meanwhile, the identity of the pilot of the ill-fated Sikorsky SK76c helicopter with registration 5N-BQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation, that crashed in Bonny, Rivers state, has been identified.

LEADERSHIP reports that the helicopter, carrying eight individuals – six passengers and two crew members – went down into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, off the coast of Calabar, during a routine flight on Thursday at approximately 11:22 AM local time.

The pilot has been identified as Capt Yakubu Dukas,  with more than 20 years flying experience.

According to a press statement made available to LEADERSHIP by the President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Abednego Galadima, the deceased pilot was also the vice president of the association.

“We have received with great sadness the news of the helicopter crash offshore today 24th October, 2024 . More saddening is that the captain on board, Capt Yakubu Dukas, is a seasoned helicopter pilot with more than 20 years flying experience and until this unfortunate accident,  was the Vice President of our great union.

“We have always maintained that the operating conditions in the aviation industry must always be optimal for all professionals for the safety of all knowing that there is no parking space up there.”

“We call on the government and all stakeholders to always ensure that in all their operations, they target zero for accidents because of the catastrophic nature of air crashes.

“We also call on all relevant agencies to ensure no stone is left unturned in unearthing the immediate and remote causes of this tragic occurrence and all the measures required to be put in place to forestall any further occurrence. Our prayers  are with all families whose loved ones  were on board.”