The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has yet to locate the black box or wreckage of the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter that crashed on October 24, 2024. The helicopter, operated by East Wind Aviation on behalf of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, went down in the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, off Nigeria’s coast, with eight people on board. Thus far, five bodies have been recovered, and search efforts have faced challenges due to low visibility and difficult oceanic conditions.
According to Bimbo Oladeji, NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, underwater search and recovery operations resumed Saturday but were suspended by late afternoon due to fading daylight. The search will continue today with additional resources. “Despite extensive efforts, no critical components such as the black box, Flight Data Recorder (FDR), or Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) have been located due to operational constraints and challenging underwater conditions,” Oladeji stated.
The NSIB plans to deploy a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), an advanced underwater drone capable of operating at depths up to 1,000 meters. Equipped with cameras, sensors, and a Tether Management System (TMS), the ROV will enhance the Bureau’s search capacity, enabling detailed inspections, data collection, and recovery of potential evidence to help determine the crash cause.
NSIB Director-General Capt. Alex Badeh Jr. praised the dedication of the combined rescue teams and affirmed that all resources will be mobilized to ensure a thorough investigation. The NSIB urged the public to avoid speculation, emphasizing transparency and accountability throughout the search process.
