A helicopter engaged by NNPC Limited in Port Harcourt, Rivers state on Thursday has crashed.
The helicopter has 8 persons on board (6 passengers and 2 crew members).
A statement by Olufemi Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Limited noted that; “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.”
The victims were working at the OML 123 oil field when the helicopter nosedived into the Atlantic Ocean near the Mimbo platform and Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel around 11:40 a.m. on Thursday.
According to reports, the oil workers were conducting operations at the site when the incident occurred, leading to widespread shock and grief in the industry. Further investigations into the cause of the crash are underway.
“There were six personnel and two crew members onboard the helicopter. Three bodies have been recovered so far. Search and rescue is ongoing.
“The helicopter belongs to Eastwind Aviation,” the source stated.
Nigerian Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development confirms report
“The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and emergency response teams were immediately activated,” stated the Ministry.
The Honourable Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, SAN, confirmed that search and rescue operations are currently ongoing.
“The Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and other relevant agencies are actively involved,” he added.
Despite the absence of an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal, efforts are being made to manually plot the crash location. “All available resources, including the military and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing any survivor(s),” the Minister explained.
“So far, three bodies have been recovered, and the search for potential survivors continues. The Ministry confirmed that neighbouring aerodromes have been alerted to provide further support in the ongoing rescue mission.
“The Honourable Minister of Aviation is actively working with all relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated response and to minimise casualties from this unfortunate incident,” the statement continued.
Keyamo however expressed condolences to the families of those on board. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those on board, and we are committed to providing the necessary support during this difficult time.”
The statement reads, “The Federal Ministry of Aviation has received the distressing report of a helicopter accident that occurred today, 24th October 2024, at about 11:22 am along the waterways in Port Harcourt. The helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was en-route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMANTAN oil rig.
“The aircraft, with eight persons on board, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and emergency response teams were immediately activated, and search and rescue operations are ongoing with the support of the Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and other relevant agencies. Neighbouring aerodromes have also been notified for support.
“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.”
