18 hours ago
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The Nigerian government has announced that the United States and France will participate in an investigation with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to examine the wreckage of a helicopter that recently crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo explained the international involvement.
The Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registered as 5N-BQG, was designed and manufactured in the USA, while its engine was produced in France. Given these connections, each country is sending representatives to assist with the investigation.
The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation, crashed off the coast of Bonny Finima on October 24, 2024, carrying six passengers and two crew members. Thus far, five bodies have been recovered, while three remain missing.
Keyamo outlined that the helicopter’s engines and components will be examined at NSIB’s wreckage facility in Abuja as part of a thorough teardown process.
He said: “The participating states on this issue are the United States of America, as the State of design and manufacture of the helicopter, it has appointed a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator. So, we are cooperating and collaborating with the United States where it was manufactured, and they have actually appointed an investigator to work with us.
“He is an accredited representative of the NTSB in America, assisted by a technical advisor, nominated by Sikorsky Aircrafts.
“Meanwhile, France, as a state of design and manufacture of the engines, has appointed an accredited representative assisted by a technical advisor from SAFRAN, the engine manufacturer, because the engine was manufactured in France.
“We will examine the roles of man, machine, and the environment that might have directly or indirectly contributed to this accident. We will review the certified maintenance documents of the crash helicopter and the crew’s training and medical records. We have received full cooperation from the operator, and as I speak with you, all the agencies of the aviation, NCAA, NAMA, and NiMet are all cooperating with the NSIB.”
Keyamo also shared details of the extensive search and rescue efforts, involving over 60 personnel, professional divers, and advanced marine technology to scan the ocean floor in depths ranging from 40 to 100 meters.
The search, which ran continuously for two weeks, was complicated by severe weather and ocean conditions.
Five bodies have been identified, all Nigerian nationals, with one passenger and two crew members still missing.
The Nigerian government has extended the search to Cameroon, as it is believed that some bodies may have drifted there.
NSIB Director General Alex Badeh Jr. confirmed that Cameroon has been alerted and continues to assist in the search.
He also emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting the families of the victims, providing emotional and psychological support in line with the Family Assistance Program from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Badeh said: “As you know, the federal government does not give up on any Nigerian citizen lost or harmed anywhere. So, the Nigerian government, through the Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, is still conducting a long-term search and recovery effort for the missing two crew members and one missing passenger.
“We have notified others in the littoral waters, Cameroon in particular, to see if anybody floats up into their waters. As you know, we found one body in Cameroon a few days later. So, we’re still looking. The Navy is still on the lookout and so is the NNPC. So, Nigeria will not give up on the missing victims.
“We suspect that the other three may have floated into Cameroon and the NSIB has also informed the Cameroonian authorities to also assist at their end because we don’t have the right to just get into their waters like that without adequate clearance.
“With the Family Assistance Program mandated by ICAO, we provide emotional support, psychological support as well as update them as we go on with the investigation.”
English (US) ·