Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) said it has commenced investigation into the water landing of Bristow Helicopters offshore on Wednesday, just as the company said the passengers were safe and only had minor injuries.
The accident according to AIB involved a S76 C++ helicopter marked 5N-BQJ, belonging to Bristow Helicopters, which departed ERHA Platform enroute Lagos was ditched into the Atlantic Ocean 95 nautical miles into destination at about 10:20am local time.
Controlled ditching is a planned event in which a flight crew knowingly makes a controlled emergency landing in water.
AIB said, “All the 11 souls on board including two crew members were rescued alive. Accident Investigation Bureau AIB has commenced investigation into the occurrence. Details will be communicated to you later.”
In earlier statement, Bristow Helicopters confirmed “that one of its helicopters, was involved in a water landing near Lagos at about 10.25 a.m. local time on return from an offshore platform. The aircraft, a Sikorsky S-76C++, had departed on a routine crew transfer flight offshore with nine passengers and a crew of two. All persons onboard are accounted for and in the process of being transferred to a nearby installation. The company is in the process of collecting pertinent information and will release more details as soon as it is available.”
The company later confirmed that all nine passengers and two crew onboard the aircraft (that was involved in a controlled water landing near Lagos, have arrived at an onshore installation, with only minor injuries being reported at this time.
Bristow is fully cooperating with local authorities in its investigation to determine the cause, and to begin recovery of the aircraft, which is located approximately 75 nautical miles offshore.
“Bristow has established a dedicated telephone hotline for family members of those on board the flight. Family members in Nigeria may call 01-271-6748. Family in the U.S. and Canada may dial toll free +1 (855) 979-7533 or direct toll at +1 (567) 302-7004.
Bristow will continue to release additional information at bristowgroup.com as soon as it is confirmed,” the company said.
THISDAY learnt earlier that the crew and passengers were rescued by the Nigerian Navy when it received distress signal from the persons on board that include a female co-pilot.
THISDAY also learnt the some persons onboard suffered minor dislocations but were taking to the nearest hospital after the rescue for adequate treatment.
Meanwhile, THISDAY can authoritatively report that the incident happened at the high sea, somewhere near the Lagos bay and the coordinate and location of the crash is 05 44.3N and 004 16.9E. of Lagos waters.
Speaking with THISDAY, the South-west Spokesperson for National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye said, “An Helicopter has crashed into the sea. Emergency rescuers are at work. For now there is no casualty. The Operation is ongoing. Further update soon.”
However, aviation sources exclusively told THISDAY that the ill-fated helicopter was going for an offshore operation to drop engineers at the rig when it developed a fault, prompting the crew to ditch the aircraft.
On August 15, 2015 Bristow Helicopter recorded its most tragic accident when its Sikorsky S-76 helicopter with registration number 5N-BDG-760540 crashed in the lagoon bordering Oworonsoki, a suburb in Lagos, with 12 persons on board, killing six persons.
There have been strings of such accidents involving the helicopter company, but such tragedy was averted this time.
