Gaps in aviation regulation highlighted after NNPC helicopter crash

Amidst the tragic Sikorsky SK76 helicopter crash off the coast of Calabar, fresh details from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) reveal regulatory lapses and operational violations that raise concerns about aviation oversight in Nigeria. The helicopter, contracted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima on October 24, claiming the lives of five out of the eight onboard, with three still unaccounted for.

Preliminary findings by the NSIB, unveiled in Abuja on Tuesday, expose multiple breaches of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023. The Director-General of the bureau, Alex Badeh, disclosed that the helicopter lacked a Flight Data Recorder (FDR), a mandatory safety device under Part 7.8.2.2(q) of the regulations. Additionally, the crew used non-standard phraseology throughout the flight, further compromising operational safety.

“The helicopter was fitted with a solid-state cockpit voice recorder; The helicopter was not fitted with a Flight Data Recorder; although Part 7.8.2.2(q) of Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023 requires that FDR shall be fitted on the helicopter; The flight crew used non-standard phraseology throughout the flight.”

“There were no standard callouts for the various phases of the flight; The helicopter Radio Altimeter (Rad alt) was snagged and deferred on October 18, 2024, six days before the accident; No dew point data was reported in the weather information passed to 5N-BQG on the day of the occurrence,” Badeh stated.

The NSIB report paints a harrowing picture of the final moments before the crash. The crew appeared to struggle to maintain control, with a warning signal, “Bank angle, Bank angle,” recorded just before the helicopter plunged into the ocean. Smoke was observed emanating from the engine as the aircraft lost stability, further compounding the tragedy.

The crash not only highlights lapses in operational compliance by East Aviation, the helicopter’s handlers, but also questions the enforcement of regulations by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The NSIB has now urged the NCAA to ensure adherence to the Nig. CARs, particularly concerning the mandatory installation of FDRs on helicopters above a certain weight class.

In addition to the Sikorsky SK76 investigation, the NSIB released reports on five other aviation incidents, including a serious accident involving a Beech Baron 58 aircraft at the Kaduna airport in December 2022. These incidents underscore the critical need for enhanced regulatory oversight and stricter compliance to safeguard lives in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

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