The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has revealed a troubling series of regulatory violations concerning the October 24, 2024, crash of a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter operated by East Aviation in Port Harcourt.
The incident, which occurred off the coast of Calabar, resulted in the loss of eight lives, including six passengers and two crew members. Five of the victims’ bodies have been recovered, while three others remain missing.
The NSIB’s preliminary findings, presented by Alex Badeh, the Bureau’s Director-General, highlighted several violations of Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs), which are designed to ensure the safety of air travel in the country. These violations, although not directly linked to the cause of the crash, point to significant gaps in the oversight and enforcement of aviation safety standards.
One of the most serious violations uncovered was that the crashed helicopter was not equipped with a Flight Data Recorder (FDR), despite being required by Part 7.8.2.2(q) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) of 2023. This regulation mandates that helicopters with a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 3,175 kg must be fitted with an FDR to record critical flight data. The lack of this crucial safety equipment has raised questions about the adequacy of safety measures on commercial helicopters operating in Nigeria.
In addition to the absence of an FDR, the NSIB noted that the helicopter’s crew used non-standard phraseology during the flight, a significant concern as clear, standardized communication is vital for ensuring safety in aviation operations. The report revealed that standard callouts a series of predefined verbal communication protocols required at different stages of flight were absent, further indicating poor adherence to safety protocols. Furthermore, the helicopter’s radio altimeter was found to have a snag and had been deferred just six days prior to the crash.
The absence of essential dew point data in the weather information given to the flight crew on the day of the accident was also flagged. This crucial meteorological information could have provided the crew with vital insights into weather conditions, particularly when flying over challenging terrains or bodies of water like the Atlantic Ocean.
In an analysis of the crash, Badeh explained that the helicopter appeared to be struggling to maintain its balance before it ultimately plunged into the ocean. This struggle was accompanied by an aural warning from the aircraft, which repeatedly stated: “Bank angle, Bank angle,” a common warning in flight control systems when the aircraft is at an unsafe angle. According to the NSIB, this was the last recorded message before the helicopter’s descent, accompanied by signs of smoke emanating from the engine—a significant indication of mechanical failure just before the crash.
While the NSIB stopped short of directly linking these regulatory violations to the cause of the crash, the findings underscore troubling gaps in the regulatory framework governing Nigeria’s aviation industry. The violations are particularly concerning given the importance of flight data recorders, standardized communications, and pre-flight safety checks in preventing accidents.
These issues highlight ongoing challenges within Nigeria’s aviation regulatory environment, which has faced criticism in the past for its failure to fully enforce safety standards and ensure compliance with international aviation norms. The fact that such a critical helicopter was allowed to fly without an FDR raises serious questions about the oversight capabilities of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the agency responsible for ensuring the safety of civil aviation in the country.
In light of the findings, the NSIB has called for stricter enforcement of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs), particularly Part 7.8.2.2(q), which mandates the installation of Flight Data Recorders on helicopters with a maximum take-off mass over 3,175 kg and up to 7,000 kg. The Bureau has urged the NCAA to ensure that such violations are thoroughly investigated and that all helicopters operating in Nigeria are compliant with the required safety standards.
Additionally, the NSIB’s report on the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to aviation safety protocols and conducting regular maintenance checks on critical systems such as altimeters and weather instruments. The Bureau’s findings could serve as a basis for future reforms within the country’s aviation sector, aimed at preventing similar incidents and enhancing air travel safety.
The NSIB’s investigation is ongoing, and the final report is expected to provide further insights into the factors contributing to the crash. In the meantime, the NCAA is likely to face increased scrutiny over its regulatory practices, especially in light of the NSIB’s calls for better enforcement of safety regulations. Stakeholders in the aviation sector, including aircraft operators and aviation authorities, will need to work closely to ensure that safety remains a top priority, and that such tragic accidents are prevented in the future.
