HELICOPTER CRASH: See 2 Things Recovered From The Scene Of Accident In Rivers State
In a major development concerning the tragic helicopter crash in Rivers State, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed the recovery of the black box. This includes the crucial flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR), pivotal tools for understanding the cause of the incident.
The accident involved a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter operated by East Wind Aviation under contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited. The crash occurred on October 24, 2024, near Bonny Island, along the coast of Rivers State.
Two weeks after the unfortunate event, NSIB’ s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, announced that the black box was successfully retrieved early Friday morning. This recovery was made possible through the collaborative efforts of NSIB and its Search and Recovery partners, which included organizations such as NNPC, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Navy, and private sector partner HydroDive.
In a statement, Oladeji highlighted the coordinated approach taken by these agencies, which combined both local and international resources in the search and recovery operation.
” The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), in collaboration with NNPC, NIMASA, the Nigerian Navy, and HydroDive, has successfully recovered the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG, which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Bonny Finima on October 24, 2024, ” she stated.
The FDR and CVR, often referred to as the aircraft’ s ” black box, ” are essential for investigators to reconstruct the events leading up to the crash. The FDR stores detailed information on various flight parameters, such as altitude, speed, and mechanical performance, while the CVR captures audio recordings of cockpit conversations and sounds.
Together, these components provide a comprehensive insight into the aircraft’ s last moments, helping investigators piece together crucial details that could reveal the cause of the crash.
Oladeji further elaborated that, since the crash, the NSIB and its partners had launched extensive operations aimed at locating and recovering not only the black box but also the remains of the victims and other critical components of the helicopter. These efforts were essential to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the recovery of vital evidence.
This tragic incident has underscored the importance of coordinated efforts in aviation safety and emergency response, especially given the challenging conditions of an offshore search. The retrieved black box will now be analyzed by the NSIB and other experts, marking a significant step in understanding the factors that led to the fatal accident.
