The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed the successful location of the wreckage from the helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Port Harcourt. The incident, which occurred on October 25, 2024, involved a Bell 412 helicopter operated by a private charter service.
The NSIB has been actively coordinating search and recovery efforts since the crash, which resulted in the tragic loss of all six passengers on board. Utilizing advanced sonar technology and collaboration with local maritime authorities, the wreckage was located approximately 15 nautical miles off the coast of Port Harcourt.
The NSIB's Director General, Dr. Amina Ibrahim, stated, “Our primary focus remains on recovering the victims and understanding the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. We extend our deepest condolences to the families affected and assure them that we are committed to a thorough investigation.”
In addition to recovery efforts, NSIB is working closely with international aviation safety experts to analyze data from the helicopter’s flight recorder once retrieved. This will be crucial in determining the factors that led to this unfortunate incident.