AVIATION

FG reaffirms commitment to transparent inquiry into Sikorsky helicopter crash

The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent and thorough inquiry into the unfortunate crash of a Sikorsky helicopter belonging to Eastwind Aviation that plunged into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima in Rivers State, killing all eight people onboard.

The Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Captain Alex Badeh Jr., and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation and Aerospace Technology, Honourable Abiodun Akinlade, made the declaration during their visit to the accident site of the crashed helicopter with registration number 5N BQG, to oversee the progress of recovery and investigation operations.

The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation, ditched off the coast of Bonny Finima on October 24, 2024, while transporting eight individuals.

Since the accident, the NSIB, with support from local and international partners, has coordinated a search and recovery mission to locate the wreckage and examine the circumstances of this tragic event.

During the visit, Captain Badeh Jr. and Hon. Akinlade received updates from the multidisciplinary search and recovery team. The officials were briefed on recovery progress as well as investigative procedures examining environmental factors, safety protocols, and technical variables.

Captain Badeh, who reaffirmed NSIB’s dedication to transparency while underscoring the Bureau’s role in conducting an objective investigation, declared, “We are committed to uncovering the facts of this tragic incident.

“Our team is deploying the highest standards to ensure we bring clarity to the families affected while enhancing safety measures that will benefit all Nigerians. Transparency and accountability guide this process as we work to bring closure to those impacted and provide actionable recommendations to improve aviation safety.”

The Honourable Abiodun Akinlade echoed the government’s commitment to supporting the recovery effort and NSIB’s mission, ensuring that the investigative findings contribute to safety reform.

Expressing condolences to the families affected, the lawmaker emphasised the government’s duty to prioritise the welfare of all citizens who depend on safe transportation, saying, “This tragedy affects us all, and our thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones.

“The safety of our citizens and the integrity of our transport system are priorities for the National Assembly. We will ensure that insights and lessons from this investigation contribute to Nigeria’s aviation safety policies and broader transport safety initiatives.”

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