- We hired crashed helicopter with eight persons on board – NNPCL
The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has confirmed eight persons feared dead in a helicopter crash that occurred in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Thursday.
The spokesperson of the Ministry, Olutayo Oluseyi, who disclosed this in a statement, further explained that search and rescue operations have commenced with the support of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant agencies.
The statement added that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and neighbouring aerodromes have been notified.
According to ministry, the accident occurred at 11:22 a.m. along the waterways in Port Harcourt when the helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, took off from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig.
A total of eight persons were confirmed on board, Oluseyi said.
The aircraft ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, the authorities said in a statement, adding that rescue efforts have been activated.
“While no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was received, manual efforts to plot the location of the accident are underway, and all available resources, including the military and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing any survivor(s). So far, three bodies have been recovered,” the authorities said while offering words of comfort to the families of those onboard,” the statement read in part.
We hired crashed helicopter with eight persons on board – NNPCL
Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited on Thursday disclosed that it hired a helicopter which was reported to have crashed earlier today with eight persons on board.
The national oil company in a brief statement signed by its spokesman, Olufemi Soneye , said the helicopter was enroute one of its oil facilities in the Niger Delta after taking off from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
It was still not clear at the time of filing this report the identities of the eight persons on board at the time of the accident.
“On the 24th of October 2024, about 11:22am, we lost contact with the Helicopter – Register Number: 5NBQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, that took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN. The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation.
“There were eight persons on board (six passengers and two crew members). The appropriate authorities have been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation, which have since issued a press statement,” the NNPC said.
It added that a search and rescue mission was currently ongoing, stressing that so far, three bodies had been recovered.
“We shall continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates as the events unfold. Our prayers are with the passengers, crew and their respective families at this very difficult time.
“We will continue to do everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation,” the NNPC stated.
The Rivers State Police Command also confirmed a helicopter crash in the Bonny axis of Rivers State, saying the two crew members and six occupants were on board on Thursday.
This was as the police said its marine division cooperating with other agencies had begun a search party to recover the aircraft and the occupants.
A spokesperson for the state’s Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday night and sent to newsmen.
She said a staff of Antan Producing Limited, Port Harcourt, had reported the incident to the Command that a helicopter with the call sign number 5N-BQG (S76C+), belonging to East Wing Aviation, departed from the NAF Base in Port Harcourt.
The statement reads, “The Rivers State Police Command regrets to inform the public of a tragic incident that occurred today, 24th October 2024, at approximately 11 am.
“Mr Ifeanyi Udogwu, a staff of Antan Producing Limited, Port Harcourt, reported to the Command that a helicopter with the call sign number 5N-BQG (S76C+), belonging to East Wing Aviation, departed from the NAF Base in Port Harcourt.
“The flight was bound for Nuim Antan OML123 fields, carrying two crew members and six passengers.
“Unfortunately, at about 11 am, the helicopter reportedly ditched into the ocean near Antan Producing Limited’s Mimbo platform and FPSO. All eight persons onboard are feared dead.
“The Marine Division of the Rivers State Police Command is cooperating with other agencies to recover the aircraft and the occupants.
“The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the incident in a press release.
“The Rivers State Police Command extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims during this tragic time.”
The spate of helicopter crashes with casualties has been a source of worry to aviation and safety experts in the last few years, with stakeholders calling on the civil and military aviation authorities to uphold standard operating procedures and tighten regulations.
In December 2023, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter crashed also in Port Harcourt. The helicopter with the number NAF MI-35P crashed shortly after it took off for an operation against economic saboteurs in the oil-rich South-South state. Fortunately, the entire crew of five survived the crash with very minor injuries.
Similarly, in August 2023, a small aircraft crashed in the Oba Akran area of Ikeja, the Lagos State capital. The aircraft burst into flames when the incident happened but the four persons onboard narrowly survived the ill-fated flight,
Back in August 2020, a helicopter operated by Quorum Aviation crashed in the Opebi area of Lagos, leaving three of those onboard dead.
In 2021, at least 20 military officers lost their lives within three months in three crashes involving NAF jets.
Then Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 others were onboard a NAF Beechcraft 350 aircraft that crashed on May 21, 2021, near the Kaduna International Airport. All the 11 military personnel died in the tragic accident.