On Thursday, a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter operated by East Wind Aviation crashed into the waterways near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean while en route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig. The incident occurred at approximately 11:22 a.m., resulting in the recovery of three bodies out of eight individuals on board.
The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, represented by spokesperson Odutayo Oluseyi, confirmed the details of the crash. Following the incident, immediate rescue operations were activated, involving the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and other relevant agencies.
“While no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was received, manual efforts to locate the accident site are underway. All available resources, including military support and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing any survivors,” the ministry stated. They extended their condolences to the families of those affected by the tragedy.
Among the eight people on board were personnel from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). NNPCL spokesman Olufemi Soneye confirmed that the helicopter was engaged by the company for its operations. He expressed the company’s commitment to monitoring the situation closely, providing regular updates, and supporting ongoing search and rescue efforts.
“Our prayers are with the passengers, crew, and their families during this difficult time,” Soneye added.