Nigerian Authorities Probe How ‘Scrapped’ Helicopter Ended Up Back in Service Before Fatal Crash
A Sikorsky SK76c helicopter, registration number 5N-BQG, which crashed recently near Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was presumed scrapped in 2018, SaharaReporters has revealed. The helicopter, operated by EastWind Aviation, was transporting contract staff to the FPSO-NUIMS ANTAN facility when it tragically went down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Bonny Finima last Thursday.
This Sikorsky SK76c model was originally manufactured in 1997. It had previously been registered under multiple aviation companies worldwide, with its manufacturer’s serial number (MSN) 760486. It first served with Helikopter Service as SE-JFB, then moved to Hong Kong under registration B-KCR. In 2004, Nigerian airline Aero Contractors purchased the helicopter and re-registered it as 5N-BGN. In 2009, CHC Global Ops in Canada bought the helicopter, assigning it the registration C-FXXV and later outsourcing it to Premiair, an aviation service in Indonesia. CHC Global Ops resumed ownership in 2013 until its Canadian registration was revoked in 2018, after which it was “presumably scrapped.”
Scrapped Helicopters: The Reality of Non-Operational Aircraft
Scrapped helicopters are retired aircraft no longer deemed operational due to age, excessive maintenance costs, unavailability of parts, or damage. Often dismantled or sold for parts, they are generally not expected to return to active service. However, how the Sikorsky SK76c made its way to Nigeria and was re-registered as 5N-BQG remains unclear.
Investigation and Search Operations Underway
Following the crash, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announced plans to deploy Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for an underwater search up to 1,000 meters deep. NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, confirmed that the search for the black box, Flight Data Recorder (FDR), and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) is ongoing.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) reported that five individuals remain missing, while three bodies have been recovered as of Sunday.
Historical Sikorsky S-76 Incidents Raise Safety Concerns
The Sikorsky S-76 model has been involved in multiple accidents over the years. Between 2002 and 2020, six crashes involving this model have been documented, including high-profile incidents like the tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter in 2020.
Unanswered Questions
How this particular helicopter was reintroduced into the aviation industry remains a point of concern, as regulations typically prevent scrapped aircraft from being reinstated into service. Authorities and industry insiders are closely watching the investigation to understand what led to this tragic incident.
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