The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter operated by East Wind Aviation, which crashed on Thursday morning, in Port Harcourt, was engaged by the national oil company.
The helicopter, en-route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMS ANTAN oil rig with 8 persons on board, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, at about 11:22 a.m on Thursday, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had in a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Odutayo Oluseyi, said three bodies had been recovered, while search operations were ongoing.
Speaking on the incident in a statement on Thursday evening, Spokesperson of the NNPC Ltd., Olufemi Soneye, said the ill-fated aircraft had six passengers onboard along with two crew members.
Titled: “HELICOPTER INCIDENT EN ROUTE TO NNPC’s FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN”, the statement reads: “On the 24th of October 2024, about 11:22am, we lost contact with the Helicopter – Register Number: 5NBQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, that took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN. The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation.
“There were 8 persons on board (6 passengers and 2 crew members). The appropriate authorities have been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation, who have since issued a press statement. Search and rescue missions are currently ongoing. So far, three (3) bodies have been recovered.
“We shall continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates as the events unfold. Our prayers are with the passengers, crew and their respective families at this very difficult time. We assure that we will continue doing everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation.”
