The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has disclosed multiple violations of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023 by the handlers of the Sikorsky S76C+ helicopter operated by Eastwind Aviation Logistics Services Limited. The helicopter, which was contracted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima on October 24, 2024, resulting in the tragic deaths of six passengers and two crew members.
Presenting the preliminary findings in Abuja, the Director General of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., highlighted critical lapses that contributed to the incident. Among the violations was the absence of a Flight Data Recorder (FDR), which is mandatory under Part 7.8.2.2(q) of Nig. CARs 2023 for helicopters with a maximum take-off weight between 3,175kg and 7,000kg. Additionally, the helicopter’s crew failed to use standard aviation callouts and phraseology throughout the flight, further underscoring operational shortcomings.
Investigators noted that the helicopter’s Radio Altimeter had been reported as faulty and deferred just six days before the crash, while the weather information provided to the crew on the day of the accident lacked crucial dew point data. Recordings retrieved from the solid-state Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), which captured the last 31 minutes of the flight, revealed that the aircraft was struggling to maintain balance before crashing. The final audible warning recorded was the aircraft’s aural alert system repeating, “Bank angle, bank angle,” followed by reports of smoke emanating from the engine prior to its impact with the ocean.
The crash site was located at coordinates 04°13’37” N 008°19′22” E at a depth of 42 meters. Recovery efforts, which lasted 14 days, were significantly hampered by violent ocean currents, heavy rain, and strong winds. Despite these challenges, five bodies were recovered, while three remain missing. Debris from the helicopter and personal belongings of passengers and crew were scattered across the crash area, with fuel slicks observed on the surface of the water.
In addition to this incident, the NSIB released reports on other aviation accidents, including a Beech Baron 58 aircraft crash involving the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Kaduna on December 31, 2022. The bureau called on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to enforce compliance with the regulations mandating the installation of FDRs in aircraft that meet the required specifications.
The NSIB emphasized the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols and regulations to prevent future tragedies and improve the safety of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
