Search for the remaining three bodies continues
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has said that the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) popularly known as “black box”, from the crashed Sikorsky SK76 helicopter has been recovered.
In a statement on Friday, the multi modal safety investigation bureau said the device was recovered through the joint efforts of its search and recovery partners: Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Nigeria Maritime Safety Authority (NIMASA), the Nigerian Navy, and HydroDive,
The Sikorsky SK76e helicopter with the registration 5N BQG operated by Eastwind Aviation, ditched into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Bonny Finima on October 24, 2024 with eight passengers on board at the time of the accident.
Since the accident, NSIB and its Search and Recovery partners have coordinated a search and recovery effort in collaboration with local and international partners to locate and retrieve the bodies of the casualties and the critical components necessary for a comprehensive investigation.
The FDR and CVR, commonly referred to as the aircraft’s “black box,” was retrieved early on Friday morning. This device is crucial in helping investigators analyse flight performance and cockpit communications to determine the sequence of events leading up to the accident.
The recovered device has been secured for transport to NSIB’s data analysis laboratory where it will undergo data extraction and analysis by NSIB’s specialists to gain insights into the operational and technical conditions preceding the accident and to help determine the cause of the accident.
As of Friday, the remains of three individuals are yet to be located or unaccounted for. However, the long-term search efforts continue in coordination with local and international partners.
NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr. commended the recovery teams and stressed the importance of the investigation:
“The recovery of the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder marks a monumental step in understanding what led to this tragic accident. The black box holds vital information that will provide invaluable insight into the sequence of events leading up to the accident, which will help us determine the cause and inform any necessary safety recommendations. While our thoughts are with the families of those still unaccounted for, concerted efforts are being made to find the missing individuals and provide answers to the families affected by this accident,” he said.
Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji said the investigation bureau ‘remains dedicated to conducting an investigation that prioritises transparency and aligns with international standards for aviation safety. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses and significant developments emerge.”
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau is a multimodal transport agency charged with the mandate of promoting transport safety and conducting objective, thorough, and accurate investigations into transport accidents and incidents in Nigeria. Our aim is to identify probable causes and advocate for safety improvements based on our findings
