Port Harcourt, Nigeria – A tragic helicopter crash in Port Harcourt on Thursday has claimed the lives of three people, with authorities confirming the incident involved a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter operated by East Wind Aviation.
The crash occurred at 11:22 a.m. along the waterways of the Rivers State capital, en route to an oil rig.
The ill-fated helicopter, with registration number 5NBQG, took off from the Port Harcourt Military Base and was heading to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig when it went down in the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima. According to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, there were eight people onboard, including personnel of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Ministry spokesperson Odutayo Oluseyi confirmed that rescue operations were immediately activated following the crash. “The aircraft ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima, and rescue efforts have been activated with the support of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other relevant agencies,” Oluseyi said.
Authorities noted that no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was received from the helicopter, prompting a manual search to locate the crash site. By Thursday afternoon, three bodies had been recovered from the waters. The search for additional survivors continues, with the deployment of military resources and low-flying aircraft to aid in the rescue mission.
NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye confirmed that the helicopter was contracted by the company and had NNPCL personnel onboard at the time of the crash. Soneye expressed condolences to the families of the victims, assuring the public that NNPCL was closely monitoring the rescue efforts. “Our prayers are with the passengers, crew, and their respective families during this difficult time,” he said, adding that NNPCL would support ongoing rescue operations.
The crash has renewed concerns among aviation and safety experts, particularly in Nigeria’s oil-rich South-South region, where air travel incidents have been on the rise. Aviation stakeholders are calling for stricter safety regulations and enhanced adherence to standard operating procedures to improve safety standards in the industry.
This incident follows a December 2023 crash involving a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter in Port Harcourt. In that case, a NAF MI-35P helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff during an operation targeting economic saboteurs in the region. Fortunately, the crew survived with minor injuries.
As rescue efforts continue, authorities remain hopeful that additional survivors might still be found. The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has pledged to investigate the cause of the crash thoroughly and implement necessary safety measures to prevent future occurrences.