The Black Box containing the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Bonny Finima, Rivers State on 24 October, 2024, has been recovered.
The recovery of the Black Box was done by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), in conjunction with the Search and Recovery partners NNPC, NIMASA, the Nigerian Navy and HydroDive.
NSIB disclosed this in a press release, on Friday, by its Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Olawunmi Oladeji.
The helicopter, with registration 5N BQG and operated by East Winds Aviation, was transporting eight passengers at the time of the accident.
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.
Five bodies of the victims of the helicopter crash have been recovered so far, while search is still ongoing to recover the remaining three bodies.
The FDR and CVR, commonly referred to as the aircraft’s Black Box, was retrieved early Friday morning.
The Black Box 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.
“As of today (Friday), three individuals remain unaccounted for, and long-term search efforts continue in coordination with local and international partners,” it was stated in the release.
NSIB Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. commended the recovery teams and stressed the importance of the investigation.
“The recovery of the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder [Black Box] 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 stated.
NSIB restated its dedication to conducting “an investigation that prioritises transparency and aligns with international standards for aviation safety.”
It assured that further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses and significant developments emerge.
