The helicopter, contracted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), plunged into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, off the Calabar coast, on October 24, with six passengers and two crew members on board. Five bodies have been recovered, while three remain missing.
Preliminary findings presented by NSIB Director-General Alex Badeh on Tuesday in Abuja highlighted regulatory lapses, including the absence of a Flight Data Recorder (FDR) on the aircraft. This violates Part 7.8.2.2(q) of the 2023 Nig. CARs, which mandates the installation of an FDR on helicopters exceeding specific weight thresholds.
According to the report, the helicopter had a solid-state cockpit voice recorder but lacked an FDR. Additional findings revealed that the flight crew used non-standard phraseology throughout the flight and omitted standard callouts for various flight phases.
The investigation also found that:
- The helicopter’s Radio Altimeter had been reported faulty and deferred for repair six days before the crash.
- Weather information provided to the crew on the day of the accident lacked dew point data.
- The aircraft emitted an aural warning, “Bank angle, bank angle,” moments before crashing, with smoke reportedly emanating from the engine.
Commenting on the incident, Badeh stated that the helicopter appeared to struggle to gain balance before ditching into the ocean.
In addition to this case, the NSIB released findings on other incidents, including a Beech Baron 58 aircraft operated by the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, which crashed in Kaduna on December 31, 2022.
The NSIB has urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to enforce compliance with regulations requiring FDR installations on helicopters with a maximum take-off weight between 3,175 kg and 7,000 kg. This measure aims to enhance safety and prevent future occurrences.
