AviationCultureHighlightOil & Gas

Port Harcourt helicopter crash: 16 days after, NSIB recovers Black Box

304

Sixteen days after the Port Harcourt chopper crash, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), in collaboration with other Search and Recovery partners, has recovered the Flight Data Recorder, FDR, and Cockpit Voice Recorder, CVR, from the ditched Sikorsky SK76 helicopter.

Persecondnews recalls that the ditched Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5N BQG crashed off the coast of Bonny Finima, Atlantic Ocean, Port Harcourt, River on October 24.

At the time of the accident, Eastwind Aviation was transporting eight passengers in the helicopter, including some of NNPC Ltd.’s staff.

Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the NSIB, revealed this information to newsmen on Friday in Lagos.

Oladeji said that the search and recovery partners in the investigation were the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the Nigerian Navy, and HydroDive.

Oladeji said that since the accident, NSIB and its Search and Recovery partners had coordinated a search and recovery effort.

She added that the search had been in collaboration with local and international partners to locate and retrieve the bodies of the deceased and the critical components necessary for a comprehensive investigation.

The spokesperson said that the FDR and CVR, commonly referred to as the aircraft’s “black box,” were retrieved Friday morning.

According to her, the device is crucial for helping investigators analyze flight performance and cockpit communications to determine the sequence of events leading up to the accident.

She stated that NSIB’s specialists had secured the recovered recorder for transport to their data analysis lab for data extraction and analysis.

Oladeji added that the analysis would help the bureau gain insights into the operational and technical conditions preceding the accident and to help determine the cause of the accident.

She said that as of Friday, three individuals remained unaccounted for, and long-term search efforts continued in coordination with local and international partners.

She added that further updates would be provided as the investigation progressed and significant developments emerged.

The NSIB Director General, Capt. Alex Badeh, 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 to 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.

The NSIB has recovered the bodies of five of the eight individuals said to be aboard the ill-fated helicopter.

On October 31, the bureau announced the recovery of the wreckage of the ditched chopper.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Rodri Brushes Off Vinicius, Real Madrid at Ballon d’Or ceremony

Recently crowned 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has downplayed the absence of...

Super Eagles Land in Abidjan, Gear Up for Benin Republic Clash

The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, has arrived in Abidjan,...

Nigeria signs $1.2bln deal with CNCEC to revive aluminium smelter

Nigeria has taken a significant step towards reviving its dormant aluminium smelter...

VP Shettima Arrives in Benin City for Edo Governor’s Inauguration

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Benin City, Edo State capital,...

Breaking: Powerful explosion rocks Jos, many people feared dead

A devastating explosion shook the city of Jos on Tuesday morning, sending...

NNPC Ltd. boss, Mele Kyari, thrashes allegation of sabotaging Dangote Refinery as baseless

Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National...

Infanticide: US places $25,000 bounty on fleeing Nigerian parent

The United States of America has offered a $25,000 reward for anyone...

Tinubu, Abiodun, Sanwo-Olu, others extol Pastor Tunde Bakare at 70

Pastor Tunde Bakare, the founder of Citadel Global Community Church, is a...

NNPC Ltd. Unveils Plan to Resolve Nigeria’s Energy Trilemma

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) Group CEO, Mr. Mele Kyari,...

Breaking: IPMAN Secures Direct Supply Deal with Dangote Refinery, Promises Steady, Affordable Fuel Nationwide

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has announced a landmark...

“Operation Sweep”, FCT demolition squad, faces backlash from residents, Wike reacts

The recent demolition exercise by “Operation Sweep”, a task force set up...

Nov. 16 Ondo guber poll: Sensitive election materials arrive

Ahead of the Saturday, October 16 governorship poll in Ondo State, sensitive...

China’s imports from Nigeria soar to $15.1bln, 36.1% increase

China’s imports from Nigeria have reached an all-time high of $15.1 billion...

Vandals destroy TCN towers, disrupt power supply in Abuja

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported a fresh attack on...

Amid opposition, Kano Rep. Jibrin promises to push Tinubu’s tax reform bills through in NASS

In spite of growing opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s controversial tax reform...

FCT Police bust notorious car theft syndicate, arrest suspect, recover 3 vehicles

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police has confirmed the arrest of a...

Osimhen’s Brace Powers Galatasaray to 3-2 Win Over Samsunspor

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen led Galatasaray to a thrilling 3-2 victory over...

Amotekun, Vigilante groups barred from Ondo gov. election – IGP Egbetokun

The Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has banned Amotekun, Vigilante Groups, and...

NPA firefighters extinguish APMT crane fire, no fatalities recorded

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) firefighters, with assistance from other sister agencies,...

Nigeria’s Okonjo-Iweala set to serve second term as WTO DG unopposed

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has confirmed that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will...