How our helicopter with 8 persons onboard, crashed in Port Harcourt – NNPCL | Read Details
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL has confirmed that the helicopter which crashed in Port Harcourt, Rivers state in Thursday, was hired by it.
According to a release by Olufemi Soneye, the
Chief Corporate Communications Officer
NNPC Ltd, Abuja, contact was lost with the helicopter which took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig at about 11:22am.
The helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation, had eight persons on board – 6 passengers and 2 crew members.
The statement read;
“On the 24th of October 2024, about 11:22am, we lost contact with the Helicopter – Register Number: 5NBQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, that took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN. The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation.
There were 8 persons on board (6 passengers and 2 crew members). The appropriate authorities have been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation, who have since issued a press statement. Search and rescue missions are currently ongoing. So far, three (3) bodies have been recovered.
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.”
According to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the helicopter crashed into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) said it has commenced an investigation into the accident which it said lost contact with air traffic controllers around 10:52 a.m. operating under a Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
The bureau said the helicopter did not transmit an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal, prompting authorities to manually plot the accident’s location to expedite search and rescue efforts.
