Personnel NNPCL Helicopter Crash
Three people have been confirmed dead following a helicopter crash in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday.
The Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, with registration 5NBQG, was operated by East Wind Aviation and was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the accident occurred at 11:22 a.m. over the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima.
According to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, there were eight individuals on board the aircraft. Spokesperson Odutayo Oluseyi said rescue operations are underway with the assistance of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other relevant agencies.
Helicopter Crash Port Harcourt
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has also been notified.
While no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was detected, authorities are using manual efforts and military support, including low-flying aircraft, to locate any possible survivors. Three bodies have been recovered so far.
Among those on board were personnel from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye confirmed the involvement of the company’s staff and expressed solidarity with the victims’ families. He assured that NNPCL would continue to monitor the situation and provide support for the ongoing rescue efforts.
The incident has reignited concerns among aviation experts about the increasing frequency of helicopter crashes in Nigeria. Recent accidents include a Nigerian Air Force helicopter crash in Port Harcourt in December 2023 and an August 2023 crash in Lagos.
These incidents, alongside others, have prompted calls for stricter regulations and improved safety measures within Nigeria’s civil and military aviation sectors.
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