On October 24, 2024, the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, contracted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, off the coast of Calabar. The crash claimed the lives of six NNPC officials and two crew members, with only five bodies recovered so far. The remaining three victims are yet to be found.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has now provided preliminary findings on the crash, revealing that several violations of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) were committed.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, NSIB Director-General Alex Badeh highlighted these violations, but stopped short of stating whether they directly contributed to the crash. Nevertheless, he explained that the absence of key safety equipment on the helicopter and errors made by the crew showed significant gaps in the regulatory framework for aviation safety in Nigeria.
The Violations: A Breakdown
According to Badeh, the helicopter did not have a Flight Data Recorder (FDR), which is required by Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) Act of 2023. He pointed out that the absence of this crucial piece of equipment violated Part 7.8.2.2(q) of the regulations.
“The helicopter was not fitted with a Flight Data Recorder,” Badeh said. “This is a serious violation, considering the size and capacity of the helicopter.”
He further revealed that the crew used non-standard phraseology throughout the flight, failing to follow the correct communication procedures. This is another significant breach, as clear and standardized communication between the crew members is essential for the safe operation of flights.
“There were no standard callouts for the various phases of the flight,” Badeh noted. “This increases the chances of miscommunication and errors during critical moments of the flight.”
In addition to these issues, the helicopter’s radio altimeter, which measures the aircraft’s altitude, was “snagged and deferred” six days before the crash. This means that the altimeter was reported as faulty and not fixed prior to the accident. Furthermore, there was no dew point data in the weather report provided to the crew on the day of the crash.
The Final Moments of the Flight
The NSIB also revealed new details about the helicopter’s final moments before the crash. Badeh explained that the flight crew appeared to be struggling to maintain control of the helicopter right before it plunged into the ocean.
According to the data from the cockpit voice recorder, the last recorded sound was an aural warning that said “Bank angle, Bank angle.” This warning indicates that the helicopter was nearing an extreme tilt, which could have led to loss of control. Badeh also mentioned that smoke was seen coming from the helicopter’s engine just before it crashed.
“It seems the helicopter was struggling to regain balance,” Badeh explained. “The crew was fighting to stabilize the aircraft before it fell into the ocean.”
A Growing Concern Over Regulatory Oversight
Badeh’s revelations have raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in ensuring strict adherence to safety regulations. The absence of vital safety equipment and the crew’s failure to follow standard procedures point to a breakdown in both the safety culture of the operators and the enforcement of regulations.
The NSIB has urged the NCAA to take immediate action to ensure that similar violations do not happen in the future. Badeh also emphasized the importance of compliance with the regulations, particularly the requirement for helicopters like the Sikorsky SK76 to be fitted with Flight Data Recorders.
“The NCAA must ensure strict adherence to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations,” he said. “We cannot afford to ignore safety regulations when lives are at stake.”
The NSIB’s investigation is ongoing, and more findings are expected in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the families of the victims are left grieving, and questions about the safety standards in Nigeria’s aviation sector continue to grow louder.
Government’s Responsibility
The crash has also brought the issue of accountability to the forefront. In the wake of the crash, many Nigerians are questioning whether government agencies, including the NCAA and NNPC, did enough to ensure the safety of the helicopter and its passengers. The NSIB’s findings suggest that regulatory lapses may have contributed to the accident, and there are now calls for greater transparency and oversight.
For now, the families of the victims are left to mourn their loved ones, while the nation watches closely to see what steps will be taken to prevent future tragedies. The crash of the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter is a stark reminder of the importance of strict regulatory compliance and the need for continuous improvements in aviation safety.
Calls for Justice and Accountability
As the investigation continues, many are calling for justice for the victims and for those responsible for the violations to be held accountable. The incident has highlighted the need for urgent reform in Nigeria’s aviation sector, and the NSIB has vowed to keep pushing for changes that will improve safety standards in the industry.
“We owe it to the victims, their families, and the people of Nigeria to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again,” Badeh said. “This is a wake-up call for all of us.”
The crash of the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter has sparked a wider debate about aviation safety in Nigeria, and the outcome of the NSIB’s investigation could lead to significant changes in the way the country’s aviation sector operates.
In the meantime, Nigerians continue to wait for the final report, hoping for answers and for a commitment to ensuring that such an accident is never repeated.
“We cannot afford to ignore safety regulations when lives are at stake.” – Alex Badeh, Director-General, NSIB
