The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has disclosed that the Sikorsky helicopter with registration 5N-BQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation, which crashed on 24 October 2024, was not fitted with a Flight Data Recorder (FDR).
The helicopter, with eight persons on board, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean at about 11:22 a.m.
During a press conference on Tuesday, 17th of December, 2024 in Abuja, where the agency released its preliminary report, the NSIB Director General, Alex Badeh, said the aircraft was not fitted with a Flight Data Recorder (FDR), despite Part 7.8.2.2(q) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023 requiring that an FDR must be fitted on all helicopters.
While speaking, Badeh said the flight crew also used non-standard phraseology throughout the flight, adding that there were no standard callouts for the various phases of the flight. He stated that the aircraft’s radio altimeter was snagged and deferred on 18 October 2024, six days before the accident, and that no dew point data was reported in the weather information passed to 5N-BQG on the day of the occurrence.
The preliminary report also stated that no one could survive the accident, as the helicopter crashed into the Atlantic Ocean and disintegrated upon impact with the water surface, scattering its various parts. The main wreckage was found at coordinates 04°13’37” N, 008°19’22” E, at a depth of 42 metres. While approaching the crash area, fuel was observed on the surface of the water. Helicopter debris and some personal belongings of the flight crew and passengers were scattered throughout the area.
The NSIB said some life vests and three bodies were recovered from the crash site, with some of the bodies having inflated life vests on them. A further perimeter search was carried out, but no additional persons or bodies were recovered on the day of the occurrence.
According to the Director General, further findings showed that the flight crew were certified to conduct the flight. At the initial stage, the captain was the pilot flying, while the first officer was the pilot monitoring. He also noted that the helicopter was fitted with a solid-state cockpit voice recorder.
Investigators were dispatched to the site the next day and commenced post-occurrence assessment under the provisions of the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations and Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
The NSIB recommended that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ensure strict compliance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023, Part 7.8.2.2(q), which requires all helicopters with a maximum takeoff mass over 3,175 kg and up to 7,000 kg to be fitted with a Flight Data Recorder (FDR).
Other reports released was the serious Incident involving Beech Baron 58 aircraft operated by Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria with nationality and registration marks 5N-CAG which occurred on runway 05 at General Hassan Usman Katsina international Airport, Kaduna Nigeria on 31 December, 2022.
Also, the accident involving a Bell 429 Helicopter operated by Nigeria Police Air Wing with Nationality and Registration marks 5N-MDA, which occurred at Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Airport Bauchi, Nigeria on January 26, 2022 was part of the report.
Other reports are the draft final report on the serious incident involving a
Hawker 800XP aircraft operated by Aero Tak Limited with nationality and registration marks 5N-JEF which occurred at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport , Abuja, Nigeria on 10 July 2023.
Also, report on ground collision incident involving an EMB-135BJ aircraft operated by Max Air Limited with nationality and registration marks 5N-BXK and parked ATR 42 aircraft operated by Nigerian Air Force registered NAF 930 which occurred on the apron of the General Aviation Terminal of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja; Nigeria on 26 April, 2022.
Other reports is a ground collision between a conveyor belt TUG660 truck with fleet number 49/9 operated by Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc and a parked Boeing 737-800 aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-MJQ owned and operated by Arik
Air Limited which occurred at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on 3 February 2022.
Also, the final report on the serious incident involving Embraer 145LR aircraft operated by United Nigeria Airlines Limited with nationality and registration marks 5N-BWW, which occurred at about 4000 feet climbing out of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Nigeria on November 17, 2021.
He urged stakeholders and the general public to pay close attention to the safety recommendations in these reports, as they contain invaluable lessons that must not be overlooked.
He said the insights offered within the documents serve as crucial guidance for preventing future occurrences and ensuring the safety of all lives involved in transportation.
