The Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Capt. Alex Badeh Jnr, has released the preliminary report on the helicopter crash involving a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5N-BQG, operated by East Wind Aviation confirming that two crew members and one passenger are yet to be found.
Capt. Badeh Jnr. disclosed this during a press conference and stakeholders’ engagement held at the NSIB headquarters in Abuja, where six final incident reports and one preliminary report were presented.
Providing details on the October 24 crash, Capt. Badeh stated that the helicopter had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and was equipped with a solid-state Cockpit Voice Recorder. However, it was not fitted with a Flight Data Recorder, which contravenes NCAA regulations.
The other final reports presented include: A serious incident involving a Beech Baron 58 aircraft operated by the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, An accident involving a Bell 429 helicopter operated by the Nigeria Police Air Wing, A ground collision involving a Max Air EMB-135BJ with registration 5N-BXK and a parked ATR 42 aircraft operated by the Nigerian Air Force.
For recommendations the DG emphasized that there must be collective efforts across the aviation sector to enhance air safety.
