Nigeria has enlisted investigative support from the United States and France to uncover the causes of the tragic crash of an Eastwind Aviation Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, which plunged into the Atlantic Ocean on October 24, 2024.
The accident, which claimed the lives of five passengers and left three individuals still missing, has sparked an international effort to examine every possible cause and prevent future occurrences.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the collaboration, explaining that the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and France’s SAFRAN, the engine manufacturer, would assist Nigeria in the investigation due to their connection to the helicopter’s design, manufacture, and engine. “The US has appointed an NTSB investigator, and France has also provided a representative from SAFRAN to support our team,” Keyamo stated. 
The investigation, centered at the NSIB wreckage hangar in Abuja, will thoroughly examine the helicopter’s engines and critical components. Keyamo noted the commitment to assessing the “man, machine, and environment” factors, including maintenance records, crew training, and environmental conditions surrounding the crash.
Over 60 personnel, including specialized divers and technical experts, were deployed for the search and rescue, with operations severely challenged by heavy rains, oceanic currents, and strong winds. Advanced marine vessels and scanning equipment were mobilized, working tirelessly for two weeks in an effort that ultimately recovered five of the eight individuals on board.
The NSIB Director General, Alex Badeh Jr., assured that the search for the missing three individuals remains active, with the Nigerian Navy and NNPC maintaining a vigilant watch. “No Nigerian will be abandoned,” Badeh affirmed, adding that Cameroon has been alerted in case bodies drift into its waters, as one body was previously found near the Cameroonian coast.
In a gesture of ongoing support, the government is offering the families of the victims emotional and psychological assistance through the ICAO-mandated Family Assistance Program, promising to keep them informed as the investigation progresses.
The relentless pursuit of answers raises questions about safety measures and the collective international response. Wt do you think of tthis collaboration on setting a new standard for aviation investigations in the region?
