Crashed Helicopter Wreckage Found In Atlantic Ocean

The wreckage of the crashed helicopter that that took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN on Thursday has been found.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau announced that it has found the wreckage of the helicopter in the Atlantic Ocean.

The agency revealed this in a statement by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, on Thursday.

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The helicopter crashed last week Thursday with eight passengers and crew, while five bodies have been recovered; others are yet to be found.

The bodies found were retrieved from the ocean on separate days within eight days of search by a coalition of agencies.

The helicopter was engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

The NSIB said that its allied team and partners led the charge for the search and recovery efforts of the ditched Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG.

It said, “The wreckage was identified approximately 0.775 nautical miles from the FPSO Adoon. It was located at a depth of 42 meters, with coordinates registered at Latitude 04° 13.634′ N and Longitude 008° 19.442′ E. Preparations are currently underway for the helicopter’s recovery to support further investigation.”

The Director General of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh, said, “Locating the wreckage is a critical milestone in our efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident.

“The dedication and cooperation shown by all involved parties have been exceptional, and we are determined to conduct a thorough investigation to provide clarity and closure to the families of those affected,” he added while commending the search team and partners leading the search and recovery efforts.