BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), on Friday, announced the recovery of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, marked 5N BQG, which ditched in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Bonny Finima on October 24, 2024.
Additionally, search and recovery operations for the three missing occupants are being ramped up. Five dead of the occupants of the ill-fated chopper have been recovered.
The retrieval of the black box is expected to provide critical insights into the cause of the crash, while authorities work tirelessly to locate those still unaccounted for.
According to Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, the feat was achieved in conjunction with the Search and Recovery partners from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Navy and HydroDive.
The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation, had eight souls onboard at the time of the accident.
“Since the accident, NSIB and its Search and Recovery partners have coordinated a search and recovery effort in collaboration with local and international partners to locate and retrieve the bodies of the deceased and the critical components necessary for a comprehensive investigation.
“The FDR and CVR, commonly referred to as the aircraft’s “black box,” was retrieved early this morning. This device is crucial in helping investigators analyse flight performance and cockpit communications to determine the sequence of events leading up to the accident.
“The recovered recorder has been secured for transport to NSIB’s data analysis lab. It will undergo data extraction and analysis by NSIB’s specialists to gain insights into the operational and technical conditions preceding the accident and to help determine the cause of the accident.
“As of today, three individuals remain unaccounted for, and long-term search efforts continue in coordination with local and international partners”, Oladeji said in a statement.
She added that NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., commended the recovery teams and stressed the importance of the investigation.
“The recovery of the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder marks a monumental step in understanding what led to this tragic accident. The black box holds vital information that will provide invaluable insight into the sequence of events leading up to the accident, which will help us determine the cause and inform any necessary safety recommendations.
“While our thoughts are with the families of those still unaccounted for, concerted efforts are being made to find the missing individuals and provide answers to the families affected by this accident”, the NSIB boss was quoted as saying.
She assured that the Bureau remains dedicated to conducting an investigation that prioritises transparency and aligns with international standards for aviation safety.
“Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses and significant developments emerge”, she assured.
