..NNPCL Confirms Eight Personnel Onboard In Helicopter Crash
..Pilot of crashed helicopter our vice president — NAAPE
..How we activated rescue coordination activities — NAMA
Three persons have been confirmed dead after a helicopter ditched into the waters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Salient Times reports that the accident occurred at 11:22 am on Thursday, along the waterways in Port Harcourt.
The helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was en route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the Nuimantan oil rig.
A total of eight persons were on board, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi.
The aircraft ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, the authorities said, adding that rescue efforts have been activated.
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) revealed how search and rescue coordination activities were activated following the crash of a helicopter operated by Eastwind Aviation, which ditched into the waters of Bonny Finima (Atlantic Ocean).
According to a statement issued by the agency, the accident occurred at around 11:22 am on 24/10/24.
“The aircraft, which departed from Port Harcourt Airport Base to an oil rig, had 8 persons on board with a fuel endurance of 2 hours and 15 minutes. Rescue operations have so far recovered 3 bodies.
“Search and rescue coordination activities were activated in NAMA, and details of the incident were escalated to the Honourable Minister of Aviation, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Bonny tower, Osubi tower, and Escravos tower for further action.”
The agency stated that all emergency services and organizations, including the military, have been contacted for the search mission.
“Other low-flying aircraft and helicopters are being engaged to search for floating objects or persons in need of rescue.
“Neighboring aerodromes and adjacent airspaces have also been contacted. More details will be provided as they unfold.”
Crashed Helicopter Had NNPCL Personnel Onboard
Meanwhile, an ill-fated helicopter in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Thursday, had personnel of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) onboard.
NNPCL spokesman Olufemi Soneye, in a statement, confirmed that the helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation was engaged by NNPC Limited.
The copter crashed at 11:22 a.m. along the waterways in Port Harcourt when the helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, took off from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig.
A total of eight persons were confirmed on board, said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi.
The aircraft ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, the authorities said in a statement, adding that rescue efforts have been activated.
“We shall continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates as the events unfold. Our prayers are with the passengers, crew and their respective families at this very difficult time.
“We assure that we will continue doing everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation,” the NNPCL said.
Pilot of crashed helicopter our vice president — NAAPE
The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has identified Captain Yakubu Dukas as one of the victims of the helicopter crash.
According to a statement issued by the association’s president, Abednego Galadima, the late Captain was the vice president of the association until his death.
The statement from NAAPE reads: “The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) received, with great sadness, the news of the helicopter crash offshore today, October 24, 2024.
“Even more saddening is that the captain on board, Captain Yakubu Dukas, was a seasoned helicopter pilot with more than 20 years of flying experience and, until this tragic accident, served as the Vice President of our esteemed union.
“We have consistently emphasized that operating conditions in the aviation industry must always be optimal to ensure the safety of all professionals, as there is no parking space up there.
“We urge the government and all stakeholders to aim for zero accidents in their operations, considering the catastrophic consequences of air crashes.
“We also call on all relevant agencies to leave no stone unturned in investigating the immediate and underlying causes of this tragic incident and to implement measures to prevent further occurrences.
“Our prayers are with the families of all those who were on board.”
