The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has released its preliminary findings on the October 24, 2024, Sikorsky helicopter crash operated by Eastwind Aviation Logistics Services Limited, which claimed the lives of all eight people on board.
Punch Metro reports that the incident occurred near Bonny Finima in Rivers State on October 24, 2024.
The incident occurred near Bonny Finima in Rivers State.
In its report, the NSIB revealed that the helicopter, identified as 5N-BQG, lacked a Flight Data Recorder (FDR)—a critical safety component mandated by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023.
This contravenes Part 7.8.2.2(q) of the regulations, which require all helicopters with a maximum takeoff mass between 3,175 kg and 7,000 kg to be fitted with an FDR.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, NSIB Director General Alex Badeh confirmed the absence of the FDR, stressing its significance in accident investigations.
“The FDR is a key tool for understanding the sequence of events leading to crashes. Its absence hinders a comprehensive analysis of this tragic incident,” Badeh said.
The report further highlighted that the helicopter’s Radio Altimeter—a vital system for determining altitude—was reported faulty and deferred six days before the crash on October 18, 2024.
Badeh noted that the deferred repair raised concerns about operational oversight and safety protocols.
Additionally, the investigation found that the flight crew did not use standard phraseology during the operation, with key flight phase callouts missing.
“Non-standard communication compromises situational awareness and coordination, which are critical to safe flight operations,” Badeh stated.
The NSIB also pointed out gaps in the weather information provided to the crew, noting the absence of dew point data on the day of the crash.
However, the helicopter was confirmed to have a valid Certificate of Airworthiness, and a Visual Flight Rules flight plan had been filed. Badeh added that both pilots were certified for the operation, with the Captain as the Pilot Flying and the First Officer as the Pilot Monitoring during the initial phase of the flight.
The Director General further revealed that while five bodies have been recovered and identified, the remaining three occupants, including the flight crew, remain missing.
He confirmed that the helicopter was equipped with a solid-state cockpit voice recorder that would assist in the ongoing investigation.
Following the findings, Badeh emphasized the need for strict regulatory enforcement. “The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority must ensure full compliance with Nig. CARs 2023, particularly regarding the installation of Flight Data Recorders on helicopters in this category,” he said.
Investigators were dispatched to the crash site the day after the incident to conduct post-occurrence assessments in line with the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations and Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
