Sikorsky Helicopter Crash: NSIB Reveals Preliminary Report Amid Renewed Safety Commitments
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released a preliminary report detailing the tragic crash of a Sikorsky S76C+ helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation Logistics Services Limited.
The incident, which occurred on 24 October 2024 in the Atlantic Ocean southeast of Eket in the Bight of Bonny, Nigeria, claimed the lives of all eight people on board, including two crew members and six passengers.
Details of the report reveale that the Sikorsky S76C+ helicopter, with nationality and registration marks 5N-BQG, was conducting a routine operation to transport oil workers to and from the Nuim Antan Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).
The flight departed Port Harcourt Military Base at approximately 10:47 a.m. local time, maintaining an altitude of 1,500 feet under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
By 11:25 a.m., disaster struck as the helicopter, reportedly struggling with thick smoke emanating from its engine, plunged into the ocean near the FPSO facility.
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft struggle to gain stability before ditching into the water.
According to data from the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), retrieved from the ocean bed 13 days after the crash, the crew expressed concerns about deteriorating weather conditions, incorrect wind information, and payload issues shortly before the accident.
In the minutes leading to the crash, the flight crew decided to climb back to 2,000 feet, but communication between the Pilot Flying (PF) and the Pilot Monitoring (PM) suggested operational challenges.
The last recorded data included an aural warning of “Bank angle, bank angle,” indicating a critical loss of control.
The crash prompted an immediate response from multiple agencies, including the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA, and HD Pioneer Hydro Drive, among others.
Despite their swift mobilisation, all eight occupants of the helicopter were confirmed dead.
The helicopter was destroyed upon impact, with wreckage discovered at coordinates 04°13’37”N, 008°19’22”E.
The crash occurred during daylight hours under challenging weather conditions, described as cloudy with light showers and reduced visibility.
The 1998-manufactured Sikorsky S76C+ helicopter had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness until 30 December 2024 and was equipped with a Solid State Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR).
However, it lacked a Flight Data Recorder (FDR), which, under Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, is mandatory for helicopters of its weight category.
The Captain, a 55-year-old Nigerian with over 3,900 hours on the Sikorsky S76 series, had a valid licence and recent proficiency checks.
The First Officer, aged 35, also held a valid licence with over 1,400 hours on the aircraft type.
Weather Challenges: The Nuim Antan facility reported winds of 240° at 12 knots, with visibility of six nautical miles. The crew noted discrepancies in weather data during the flight.
Payload Adjustments: Shortly before the crash, the crew reduced the payload from 1,318 lbs to 1,300 lbs to adapt to operational conditions.
System Issues: The helicopter’s Radio Altimeter had been deferred six days prior to the accident, raising questions about its maintenance state.
The NSIB has stated that the investigation remains active and that further analysis will be conducted, particularly on data retrieved from the CVR.
This report was presented during the 2nd NSIB Stakeholders’ Engagement and Press Conference for 2024, an event marked by the Director-General, Captain Alex Badeh Jnr’s, reaffirmation of the bureau’s commitment to safety excellence.
During the press conference, Captain Badeh emphasised the NSIB’s strides in accident investigation and safety enhancement.
He lauded the bureau’s use of cutting-edge technology and the commitment of investigators in achieving a significant improvement in accident resolution rates.
