The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), said it received with great sadness, the news of the incident.
“More saddening is that the captain on board, Capt Yakubu Dukas, a seasoned helicopter pilot with more than 20 years flying experience and until this unfortunate accident, was the Vice President of our great union,” President of NAAPE, Abednego Galadima, said in a statement.
He said, “We have always maintained that the operating conditions in the aviation industry must always be optimal for all professionals for the safety of all knowing that there is no parking space up there.
“We call on the government and all stakeholders, to always ensure that in all their operations, they target zero accidents because of the catastrophic nature of air crashes.
“We also call on all relevant agencies to ensure no stone is left unturned in unearthing the immediate and remote causes of this tragic occurrence and all the measures required to be put in place to forestall any further occurrence. Our prayers are with all families whose beloved ones were on board.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into the Port Harcourt Helicopter crash.
Director General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr. in a statement said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this tragic incident. We are fully committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding this accident.
“We will work diligently to ensure that all necessary information is collected. The public must avoid speculation during this sensitive time, as our focus is on providing clarity and accountability through our investigation.
“The NSIB is actively preparing to dispatch a go-team to the scene to gather evidence and conduct a comprehensive analysis. A preliminary report will be issued in due course to provide updates on the investigation’s progress.”
CKNNews reports that the incident involved a Sikorsky SK76c helicopter with registration 5N-BQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation.
The helicopter, carrying eight individuals – six passengers and two crew members – went down into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, off the coast of Calabar, during a routine flight on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at approximately 11:22 AM local time.
The aircraft was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the Anton Offshore Facility when it lost contact with air traffic controllers around 10:52 AM.
Operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), 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.
The statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji revealed that search and rescue operations were activated immediately, with the NSIB collaborating closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Armed Forces and other relevant agencies.
Emergency response teams are actively working to locate survivors, with three bodies recovered so far.
According to her, the search continues with support from neighbouring aerodromes, military units, and low-flying aircraft.
Badeh said, “We remain dedicated to promoting transparency and accountability through our independent accident investigation process, ultimately enhancing transportation safety in Nigeria.”