Black Box of ill-fated Sikorsky SK76 crash recovered

Black Box of ill-fated Sikorsky SK76 crash recovered

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), in partnership with several Search and Recovery agencies, has successfully recovered the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the ditched Sikorsky SK76 helicopter.

The NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, confirmed this in a statement issued on Friday in Lagos.

Oladeji stated that the key Search and Recovery partners involved in the investigation include the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Navy, and HydroDive.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registered 5N-BQG, crashed off the coast of Bonny Finima, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on October 24.

At the time of the crash, the helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation, was transporting eight passengers.

Since the incident, NSIB, alongside its Search and Recovery partners, has been conducting coordinated search operations. Oladeji added that the efforts have involved both local and international partners to locate and retrieve the bodies of the deceased, as well as vital components necessary for a thorough investigation.

On Friday morning, the FDR and CVR, commonly known as the “black box,” were recovered. The devices are crucial for investigating flight performance and cockpit communications, helping authorities to piece together the sequence of events leading to the crash.

The recovered equipment has been secured for transport to the NSIB’s data analysis lab, where specialists will extract and analyse the data. Oladeji explained that this analysis would offer insights into the operational and technical conditions leading up to the crash, ultimately aiding in determining its cause.

As of Friday, three individuals remain unaccounted for, and ongoing search efforts continue, coordinated with both local and international partners. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

NSIB Director-General, Capt. Alex Badeh, commended the recovery teams and emphasised the importance of the investigation.

“The recovery of the FDR and CVR represents a critical milestone in understanding the cause of this tragic accident. The data from the black box will provide essential insights into the events leading up to the crash, helping us to determine its cause and inform any necessary safety recommendations,” Badeh said.

He added, “Our thoughts are with the families of those still missing, and we are committed to continuing the search for the missing individuals while providing answers to the affected families.”

NAN also reports that the NSIB has recovered the bodies of five of the eight people on board the ill-fated helicopter.

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