‘Crashed East Wind Aviation Helicopter Had No FDR’ NSIB

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has disclosed that Sikorsky helicopter which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Finima, Bonny, Rivers State recently was operating without a Flight Data Recorder (FDR).

According to the agency, the helicopter was not fitted with FDR contrary to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023 Part 7.8.2.2(q) guidelines which make the requirement mandatory for all helicopters with a maximum take-off mass of over 3, 175kg and up to 7,000kg shall be fitted with an FDR.

The ill fated helicopter operated by East Wind Aviation Logistics Services Limited reportedly killed all eight people onboard, including the crew.

NSIB revealed that the crash report on the Sikorsky helicopter marked S76C with registration 5N-BQG formed part of the other previous crashes numbering six in total, which according to the agency constitute the final reports.

Speaking on the report, Director General of the Bureau, Captain Alex Badeh said findings by the investigating team indicated that an official on duty at the Nuim Antan landing field reported to the Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) that he saw a helicopter from the western route with thick smoke emanating from the engine, ditched into the water.

“The personnel stated that the helicopter appeared to be struggling to gain balance right before it crashed into the ocean. The HLO reported calling 5N-BQG via radio three times, but there was no response, so they immediately made a PAN PAN call.

“Search and rescue operation was activated involving combined efforts by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), HD PIONEER Hydro Drive, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and several ships that were sailing around the vicinity of the accident site.

“The report also indicated that the ill-fated helicopter Radio Altimeter (Radait) was snagged and deferred on October 18th when the same helicopter finally crashed on October 24, 2024.”

Captain Badeh further informed that the report also provided details of all findings surrounding the incident which he said includes witness statements, in addition to the Cockpit Voice Rec.

The NSIB report reads: “On 24 October 2024, a Sikorsky S76C+ Helicopter with nationality and registration marks 5N-BQG operated by Eastwind Aviation Logistics Services Limited was on a drop-off and pick-up operation of oil workers to Nuim Antan, a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility located near the Bight of Bonny in the Atlantic Ocean.”

The report also showed the helicopter’s medical certificate valid till 30 June 2025 while the simulator is valid till 18 April 2025 just as the Instrument rating is valid till 18 April 2025, plus the proficiency check valid till 11 January 2026.

The Bureau chief stated that the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) was recovered from the seabed at the accident site on 8 November 2024, the 13th day after the accident.

“Upon recovery, the CVR was immersed in fresh water in a container and transported to the flight recorder laboratory of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States of America for readout and analysis. The last 31 minutes of the CVR recording were successfully downloaded.

“The aircraft crashed into the Atlantic Ocean and disintegrated with the main wreckage found at Coordinates 04°13’37” N 008°19’22” E at a depth of 42 m.”

According to the report, while approaching the crash area, fuel was observed on the surface water, adding that the helicopter debris and personal belongings of the flight crew and passengers were scattered all over the area.

Other reports released by the NSIB included a final report on the incident involving a 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.

It also captured the final report on 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 26 January 2022 among others.

Commenting on the development a retired pilot and sailor, Captain (Dr) Warredi Enisuoh said that further investigation on the Sikorsky helicopter may shift to areas of concerns such as the airworthiness of the machine, the operator’s books, pilot training records, pilot license and rating records,  including their overwater flight records and experiences.

Captain Enisuoh said, “The carriage is based on the number of passengers the machine is designed for, if it is turbine and multi-engine built after October 1991, 234 908 155 6254, something within these lines.”