Bonny Chopper Crash: Police presume all 8 Passengers Dead

The Eastwind Aviation helicopter that plunged into Bonny River in Rivers State yesterday resulted in the tragic loss of all eight lives on board.

Aboard the ill-fated flight from Port Harcourt Military base to FPSO NUIM ANTAN (offshore Calabar) were six passengers and two crew members.

According to the Rivers State Police Command, the helicopter’s catastrophic ditch into the Atlantic Ocean unfortunately claimed the lives of all eight occupants.

Rivers State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, issued a statement in Port Harcourt yesterday confirming the devastating report:

“The Rivers State Police Command regrets to inform the public of a tragic incident that occurred today, at 11am.

“Mr. Ifeanyi Udogwu, a staff of Antan Producing Limited, Port Harcourt, reported to the Command that a helicopter with the call sign number 5N-BQG (S76C+), belonging to East Wing Aviation, departed from the NAF Base in Port Harcourt. The flight was bound for Nuim Antan OML123 fields, carrying two crew members and six passengers.

“Unfortunately, about 11a.m., the helicopter reportedly ditched into the ocean near Antan Producing Limited’s Mimbo platform and FPSO. All eight persons onboard are feared dead.

“The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has officially verified the helicopter crash,” said Odutayo Oluseyi, ministry spokesperson.

Preliminary reports indicate that the deceased were contract staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL),” Vanguard learned.

Three bodies have been retrieved from the wreckage, while rescue efforts continue to locate the remaining passengers, the statement read.

“It said the helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was 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 National Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, has been notified and emergency response teams were immediately activated.

“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,” the statement added.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an investigation into the helicopter crash near Bonny Finima l.

The helicopter, operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), failed to send an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal, prompting authorities to manually track the accident’s location to speed up search and rescue efforts.

Search and rescue operations began immediately, with the NSIB working closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Armed Forces, and other relevant agencies.

Rescue teams are actively searching for survivors, with three bodies recovered so far. The search continues with support from nearby aerodromes, military units, and low-flying aircraft.

According to NSIB Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr., “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this tragic incident. We are fully committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding this accident. We will work diligently to ensure that all necessary information is collected. The public must avoid speculation during this sensitive time, as our focus is on providing clarity and accountability through our investigation.”

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/