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The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has recovered the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter.
According to the Bureau, the recovery was done in partnership with the Search and Recovery partners from Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), NIgerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Navy, and HydroDive.
The helicopter with registration 5N BQG ditched in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Bonny Finima on October 24, 2024.
The helicopter, which is operated by Eastwind Aviation, was transporting eight passengers at the time of the accident.
Since the accident, the recovery team have recovered five passengers while the team says search for three others is ongoing.
The Bureau in a statement on Friday by its Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji said since the accident, NSIB and its search and recovery partners have coordinated a search and recovery effort in collaboration with local and international partners to locate and retrieve the bodies of the deceased and the critical components necessary for a comprehensive investigation.
Giving an update of the search operations, She stated: “The FDR and CVR, commonly referred to as the aircraft’s “black box,” was retrieved early this morning.
“This device is crucial in helping investigators analyse flight performance and cockpit communications to determine the sequence of events leading up to the accident. The recovered recorder has been secured for transport to NSIB’s data analysis lab.
“It will undergo data extraction and analysis by NSIB’s specialists to gain insights into the operational and technical conditions preceding the accident and to help determine the cause of the accident.”
She added that as of today, three individuals remain unaccounted for.
She however noted that long-term search efforts will continue in coordination with local and international partners.
The Director General of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr. commended the recovery teams and stressed the importance of the investigation:
He said: “The recovery of the FDR and CVR marks a monumental step in understanding what led to this tragic accident. The black box holds vital information that will provide invaluable insight into the sequence of events leading up to the accident, which will help us determine the cause and inform any necessary safety recommendations.
“While our thoughts are with the families of those still unaccounted for, concerted efforts are being made to find the missing individuals and provide answers to the families affected by this accident.”
He said the Bureau remains dedicated to conducting an investigation that prioritises transparency and aligns with international standards for aviation safety.
He promised that more updates will be provided as the investigation progresses and significant developments emerge.