The United States and France have joined forces with Nigerian investigators to probe the deadly helicopter crash that took place last month near Port Harcourt.
This collaborative investigation, led by Nigeria’s Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), was announced by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
The crash, involving a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter operated by Eastwind Aviation, plunged into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Bonny Finima on October 24, 2024, carrying six passengers and two crew members.
Tragically, five bodies have been recovered from the wreckage, while three people remain missing.
“The United States and France are stepping in due to the helicopter’s origins,” explained Keyamo. “The helicopter was manufactured in the U.S., and its engine was made in France. Both countries will have representatives working alongside Nigerian officials to conduct a thorough investigation.”
To strengthen the investigative team, the United States has designated a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator with expertise in helicopter accidents to join the NSIB team in Abuja.
This NTSB investigator will be accompanied by a technical advisor from Sikorsky Aircraft, the company that manufactured the helicopter.
France is also sending a representative, backed by a technical expert from SAFRAN, the French company responsible for the helicopter’s engine design.
According to Keyamo, the primary goal of this multinational investigation is to understand the cause of the crash and prevent future tragedies.
“We will examine every aspect—human factors, mechanical systems, and the environmental conditions that may have led to this incident,” he said. “We are also reviewing the helicopter’s maintenance records, as well as the crew’s training and medical history, to find any possible safety issues.”
In a coordinated effort to retrieve the wreckage, over 60 personnel, including divers and technical experts, were deployed to the crash site.
Using advanced marine vessels and scanning equipment, the recovery teams combed through ocean depths of 40 to 100 meters.
Keyamo noted that the search and rescue operations ran around the clock for 14 days following the crash. “The teams used advanced scanning technology to search the seabed, and so far, five bodies have been recovered,” he added. “However, one passenger and two crew members are still unaccounted for.”
The wreckage, which has since been transported to the NSIB hangar in Abuja, will undergo a complete teardown and analysis of critical parts, including its engine.
Keyamo emphasized that this investigation is a collaborative effort, with full cooperation from Eastwind Aviation and Nigeria’s aviation agencies, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
“All aviation agencies in Nigeria are working closely with the investigation team,” he assured. “The aim is to uncover any flaws and ensure preventive measures are in place to protect lives.”
While the investigation is expected to take time, Keyamo assured the public that the combined expertise of Nigeria, the United States, and France will lead to a comprehensive and transparent report.
“We owe it to the families of the victims and the Nigerian public to find the answers,” he stated.