Helicopter crash in Portharcourt: NSIB restores Black Box

The Nigerian Security Investigation Agency, NSIB, in collaboration with other search and recovery partners, has recovered the Flight Data Recorder, FDR and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the dumped Sikorsky SK76 helicopter.

The Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance of the NSIB, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Lagos.

Recall that the NSIB had recovered the bodies of five of the eight people believed to be on board the ill-fated helicopter.

On October 31, the agency announced the recovery of the wreckage of the dumped helicopter.

The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation, was carrying eight passengers at the time of the accident.

Oladeji reiterated that NSIB and its search and recovery partners had coordinated a search and recovery effort since the accident.

She added that the search was carried out in collaboration with local and international partners to locate and retrieve the bodies of the deceased and critical components required for a comprehensive investigation.

The spokesperson said the FDR and CVR, commonly referred to as the plane’s “black box,” were retrieved Friday morning.

She said the device is critical in helping investigators analyze flight performance and cockpit communications to determine the sequence of events that led to the accident.

She added that the recovered recorder had been secured for transport to NSIB’s data analysis laboratory, where data extraction and analysis would be carried out by NSIB’s specialists.

Oladeji stated that the analysis would help the agency understand the operational and technical conditions preceding the accident and help determine the cause of the accident.

She said three people were still missing as of Friday, and long-term search efforts were continuing in coordination with local and international partners.

She added that further updates would be provided as the investigation progressed and significant developments emerged.

NSIB Director General Captain Alex Badeh commended the recovery teams and stressed the importance of the investigation.

“The recovery of the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder marks a monumental step in understanding what led to this tragic accident.

“The black box contains vital information that will provide invaluable insight into the sequence of events leading to the accident, helping us determine the cause and make any necessary safety recommendations.

“While our hearts go out to the families of those who remain missing, concerted efforts are being made to find the missing persons and provide answers to the families affected by this accident,” he said.