NCAA Clarifies Airworthiness, Registration Status of Crashed Helicopter
In response to a recent report by Sahara Reporters regarding the airworthiness of the helicopter with registration number 5N-BQG, which recently crashed, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued an official clarification addressing alleged inaccuracies in the report.
According to the report by Sahara Reporters, the crashed helicopter was initially registered in 2004 under the registration number 5N-BGN with Aero Contractors, later deregistered to Canada in 2009, and supposedly scrapped in 2018.
Sahara Reporters raised concerns regarding how this helicopter was subsequently moved to Nigeria and registered as 5N-BQG before the recent incident.
In a press release signed by Acting Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, the NCAA clarified key points regarding the aircraft’s history and tracking procedures, aiming to correct the misinformation.
The NCAA noted that aircraft can be tracked using their Manufacturer Serial Numbers (MSNs), which remain unique to each aircraft.
According to the NCAA, the recently crashed helicopter with registration 5N-BQG has MSN 760486, while the 5N-BGN helicopter, referenced in the Sahara Reporters article, carries MSN 760468.
The Authority explained that these numbers signify that 5N-BQG and 5N-BGN are distinct helicopters with separate records and histories.
The NCAA noted that according to records, the S76C+ helicopter with registration 5N-BGN and MSN 760468 was registered to Aero Contractors on 15 July 2004.
Capital Aviation Services B.V. was the registered owner, with Aero Contractors operating the helicopter.
However, in December 2006, the helicopter’s ownership transitioned to RBS Aerospace Limited.
And on 18 February 2009, Aero Contractors deregistered the helicopter, transferring it to Transport Canada.
The Authority disclosed that no further connection exists between 5N-BGN and the recently crashed 5N-BQG helicopter.
The NCAA provided further insight into the timeline of the helicopter 5N-BQG, which is distinct from 5N-BGN.
The S76C+ helicopter bearing registration 5N-BQG and MSN 760486 was initially registered to Nestoil Plc on 10 December 2012, 14 years after its manufacture.
In July 2021, following a change in operator, OMNI-BLU Aviation LTD. became the operator, with DANBA Associates Limited as the owner.
The NCAA further updated the registration on 30 May 2022 when ownership transferred to Eastwind Aviation Logistics Services Limited, while OMNI-BLU Aviation LTD. remained the operator.
The final amendment to the helicopter’s registration was made on 27 February 2024, when Eastwind Aviation Logistics Services Limited became both the registered operator and owner.
This timeline, according to the NCAA, verifies that the helicopter 5N-BQG was compliant with registration standards and properly accounted for under Nigerian aviation laws.
The NCAA asserts that the Sahara Reporters report misrepresented the records, failing to distinguish between the currently registered 5N-BQG helicopter and the deregistered 5N-BGN helicopter.
Capt. Chris Najomo stated, “This clarification aims to correct the incorrect information published, affirming that the aircraft 5N-BQG meets all legal and operational standards as per NCAA records.”
