Exactly eight days after a helicopter operated by Eastwind Aviation went missing in Rivers State, the recovery team deployed to the scene has located its wreckage deep in the Atlantic Ocean.

Aboard the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter were two crew members and six staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) when the accident happened on October 24.

Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s aviation minister, shared that the wreckage was found 42 metres deep in the ocean on Thursday. Keyamo shared the latest developments via a statement on his official X account.

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“The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announces that the allied team and partners leading the charge for the search and recovery efforts of the ditched Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG, have located its wreckage,” the statement signed by Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, a public affairs and family assistance director at NSIB, read.

“The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation and carrying eight individuals, went down off the coast of Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean on October 24, 2024.

The latest update on the helicopter crash is that the wreckage of the helicopter has been found at the bed of the oceanNEWS RELEASESEARCH AND RECOVERY TEAM LOCATES WRECKAGE OF DITCHED SIKORSKY SK76 HELICOPTER[Abuja, Nigeria, October 31, 2024]FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATIONThe…— Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK) (@fkeyamo) October 31, 2024

“The wreckage was identified during last night’s recovery dives, approximately 0.775 nautical miles from the FPSO Adoon. It was located at a depth of 42 meters, with coordinates registered at Latitude 04° 13.634′ N and Longitude 008° 19.442′ E.”

The statement added that the wreckage had not been taken out, noting that preparations were already being made to retrieve it from the waters.

Captain Alex Badeh Jr., Director General of NSIB, was quoted as saying, “Locating the wreckage is a critical milestone in our efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident. The dedication and cooperation shown by all involved parties have been exceptional, and we are determined to conduct a thorough investigation to provide clarity and closure to the families of those affected.

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“NSIB remains committed to working closely with national and international partners to carry out the recovery and investigative process, in line with our mandate to enhance transportation safety in Nigeria.”

EQ reported on October 24 that three passengers were recovered dead and another body was subsequently recovered.

There was no information about the other four passengers at press time.
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