AIB releases reports on Oworonshoki helicopter crash, three others
Three years after a Sikorsky S-76 Helicopter operated by Bristow Helicopters crashed inside the Lagos Lagoon killing six out of 12 people on board, the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) yesterday released the final report of the crash, disclosing that there was a failure of the second engine.
The helicopter was coming from an offshore oil rig operated by SEDCO Express and was heading to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) before it crashed at Oworonsoki end of the Lagoon few minutes to the airport.
AIB Commissioner/Chief Executive, Akin Olateru, who briefed newsmen on the release of four accident reports, also dismissed insinuation that the helicopter carried more than its capacity, saying there were only 12 people on board while the aircraft was designed to carry 16 passengers.
The agency also released the accident report on Pan African Airlines Nigeria Ltd Bell 412 EP Helicopter with the registration number 5N-BDZ, which crashed near SEDCO Energy Platform on July 26, 2004 a few minutes after takeoff.
Also released were reports on two incidents involving an Emirates Boeing 777-200 aircraft with the registration number A6-EWD and Aero Contractors Nigeria Ltd B73742C aircraft with the registration number 5N-BOB, which equally occurred in July 2015.
Olateru explained that the Bristow chopper experienced sudden pitch up and rolled for about 12 seconds before landing on water at 15:31hrs. He added that despite the presence of life jackets, none of the passengers was able to deploy the rafts.
Due to the sudden occurrence, he said the pilots could not make any form of distress call to Air Traffic Controllers (ATC), SEDCO Express rig or communicate with the passengers before impact.
He added: “Rescue operation was swift, prompt and carried out by local fishermen who were in the area. There were six fatalities, including two crew members and six seriously injured passengers. The crewmembers were recovered the following day. The helicopter was destroyed, but there was no postimpact fire.”
AIB suggested that the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation should redesign the affected control pushrod assembly by introducing wire lock or lock pins as safety features between the jam nut and the pushrod for better security and safety.