By Chinelo Obogo
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has said that despite extensive search efforts, no critical components such as the black box, Flight Data Recorder (FDR), or Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) – have yet been located, following the October 24, 2024, crash involving a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter operated by Eastwind Aviation, with registration number 5N BQG.
In a statement signed by Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB
said its inability to recover these critical components is due to the limited visibility at depth and human divers’ operational constraints.
” As of 11:55am on Saturday, divers began setting up and checking equipment to conduct an underwater search and recovery, followed by preliminary sweeping operations at 2:15pm. However, by 4:30pm on Saturday, diving activities were suspended due to the loss of daylight. Recovery operations are set to resume tomorrow at 9:00 AM local time,” Oladeji stated.
To enhance recovery efforts, she said 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,” she said.
Alex Badeh Director General of the NSIB, said 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,” he said.
Eight persons were feared to have died after a helicopter crashed on Thursday, October 24, at about 11:22 am along the waterways in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The helicopter lost contact with air traffic controllers around 10:52am. Operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), the helicopter did not transmit an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal, prompting authorities to manually plot the accident’s location to expedite search and rescue efforts. Three bodies were recovered on October 24.
