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Tag: Helicopter

  • Tens die as American Airlines jet, Army copter collide midair

    Tens die as American Airlines jet, Army copter collide midair

    An American Airlines regional passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed into the frigid Potomac River after a midair collision near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, officials said.

    CBS News reported that at least 18 bodies had been recovered so far, citing a police official.

    Two sources told Reuters that multiple bodies had been pulled from the water.

    American Airlines confirmed that 64 people were aboard the jet: 60 passengers and four crew members.

    Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter, a U.S. official said.

    Relatives gathered at the airport said they were getting little to no information from officials about the incident, adding that they were hearing more about the incident from news reports.

    One woman told an airport official, “I don’t know if she got on there or not,” in apparent reference to a passenger on the crashed jet.

    She then collapsed in tears.

    Hamaad Raza told local CBS affiliate WUSA that he was at Reagan airport waiting for his wife.

    “She texted me that she was landing in 20 minutes,” he said.

    “The rest of my text didn’t … did not get delivered. That’s when I realised that something might be up.

    “I’m just praying that someone is pulling her out of the river right now.”

    The U.S. Army said in a statement that it could “confirm that the aircraft involved in tonight’s incident was an Army UH-60 helicopter out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia.”

    There has not been a fatal U.S. passenger airplane accident since February 2009, but a series of near-miss incidents in recent years have raised serious safety concerns.

    In 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River, killing 70 passengers and four crew members.

    Only four passengers and one crew member survived.

    A web camera shot from the Kennedy Center in Washington showed an explosion mid-air across the Potomac about 8:47 p.m. (0147 GMT) with an aircraft in flames falling rapidly.

    PSA was operating Flight 5342 for American Airlines, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, according to the FAA.

    “We’re cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation and will continue to provide all the information we can,” American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said in a video statement.

    Police said multiple agencies were involved in a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River, which borders the airport.

    Dozens of police, ambulance and rescue units, some ferrying boats, staged along the river and raced to positions along the tarmac of Reagan airport.

    Live TV images showed several boats in the water, flashing blue and red lights.

    The airport said late on Wednesday that all takeoffs and landings had been halted as emergency personnel responded to an aircraft incident.

    U.S. President Donald Trump said in a statement that he had been “fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport.”

    “May God bless their souls,” he added.

    “Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”

    FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker stepped down on Jan. 20 and the Trump administration has not named a replacement – or even disclosed who is running the agency on an interim basis.

    The last deadly major crash involving a commercial airliner in the U.S. was in 2009, when all 49 people aboard a Colgan Air flight died when the plane crashed in New York state. One person also died on the ground.

  • Tail boom of crashed Port Harcourt helicopter recovered – NSIB

    Tail boom of crashed Port Harcourt helicopter recovered – NSIB

    The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has announced the successful recovery of the tail boom of the ill-fated Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG, which ditched in the Atlantic Ocean, Port Harcourt, Rivers.

    The NSIB disclosed this in a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji on Thursday night.

    It said the helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation, had eight individuals on board when it crashed near Bonny Finima, Port Harcourt on October 24.

    According to NSIB’s statement, the tail boom was identified during recovery dives approximately 0.775 nautical miles from the FPSO Adoon, at a depth of 42 meters, with coordinates Latitude 04° 13.634′ N and Longitude 008° 19.442′ E.

    NSIB’s Director-General, Capt. Alex Badeh, lauded the teamwork and cooperation among parties involved in the search and recovery efforts.

    “Locating the wreckage is a critical milestone in understanding the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident.

    “We are determined to conduct a thorough investigation to provide clarity and closure to the families of those affected.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that five bodies out of the eight individuals on board have been recovered.

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, confirmed the recovery via his X handle on Thursday evening.

  • Helicopter Crash: NSIB says 5th body recovered

    Helicopter Crash: NSIB says 5th body recovered

    The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says it has recovered the fifth body from the Oct. 24 helicopter crash that occurred in the Atlantic Ocean in Port Harcourt, Rivers.

    This is contained in a statement signed by NSIB’s Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji on Wednesday night.

    It said the bureau continued its coordinated recovery operation and investigation following the ditching of a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation.

    According to the statement, a total of five bodies have been recovered so far and the fifth body recovered today required specialised handling due to its decomposed state before being transported to the morgue.

    The Director-General of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh, said that the bureau would continue to collaborate with national and international partners to ensure a diligent recovery and investigative process.

    Badeh said that the investigation process would be in line with its mandate to promote transportation safety across Nigeria.

    “The recovery operation presents unique challenges due to the environmental conditions, but our team and partners are dedicated to bringing this mission to completion with utmost professionalism and care.

    ‘We are grateful for the coordinated support from everyone involved in this recovery effort, including the Nigerian Navy, in ensuring a respectful recovery process.

    “Our primary objective remains to uncover information that will fully explain the circumstances of this accident, and our thoughts continue to be with the families affected, ” he said.

    The statement said that the accident took place off the Coast of Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean and involved eight individuals onboard.

    The statement also highlighted details of the NSIB’s investigative efforts “as of today, which included; as at 9.35 a.m., HD Steadfast vessel identified a body in the water, recovery actions were initiated by deploying the Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) for retrieval of the body.

    “At 9.40 a.m., Antan HSE and security teams were contacted to coordinate an evacuation plan; 9.55 a.m., Eastwind Aviation was contacted to explore possible air ambulance support from Caverton Aviation.

    “At 10.40 a.m., HD Steadfast deployed a drone to conduct an extended aerial search of the area to locate additional floating objects or bodies.

    “At 10.45 a.m., Sea conditions presented challenges to the FRC crew for recovery. Coordination with HD Steadfast allowed the team to use its crane to retrieve the body safely and transfer it to the FPSO deck, despite inclement weather.

    “Also, at 10.49 a.m., Following Eastwind’s notification that air ambulance providers were unavailable, NSIB engaged the Nigerian Navy for logistical support and at 11.15 a.m., the body was successfully retrieved by the FRC and prepared for transfer to the FPSO deck.

    “At 11.41 a.m., an identification process commenced; while no clothing was found on the body, investigators examined specific characteristics for identity confirmation.

    “Meanwhile, between 12.49 p.m. and 2.44 p.m., the Nigerian Navy was contacted to assist with body evacuation to land.

    “Eastwind Aviation provided crew photographs to support physical identification and the mortician arrived at the Nigerian Air Force Base to prepare the body for transportation.

    “At 8.00 p.m., divers encountered fragments of clean fibreglass and aluminium, likely from the aircraft.”

    According to the statement, these findings will guide the search grid’s adjustments as NSIB aims to intensify recovery operations within the accident vicinity.

     

  • SAD! Two more corpses found from Port Harcourt helicopter crash – NSB

    SAD! Two more corpses found from Port Harcourt helicopter crash – NSB

    The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed that two more bodies have been recovered from the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter that crashed in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Three were confirmed dead following the crash on Thursday. Eight persons (six passengers and two crew members) were on board the aircraft when the incident happened.

    Barely a day after the crash, the NSIB said more bodies have been recovered while three more persons remain unaccounted for.

    “We have recovered two more bodies, making it a total of five. There are three more down there that hopefully will be recovered today,” NSIB Director General, Alex Badeh, said on Friday’s edition of Channels Television’s breakfast show Sunrise Daily.

    When asked if there are chances that none of those on board the aircraft survived the crash, Badeh said, “Unfortunately. this time, that is the working theory”.

    According to him, investigators are on their way to the scene of the accident, saying it would take days for the wreckage of the aircraft to be recovered.

    He said, “The priority is to recover the rest of the bodies there” but there is a “chance” that some persons onboard the aircraft might be alive.

    “Human beings are resilient. As long as they have their life support devices, there is a chance we might find survivors there,” Badeh said.

    The helicopter, with registration 5N-BQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation, crashed one kilometre away from its destination. It was engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

    It crashed around 11:22 am along the waterways in the Rivers State capital after taking off from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig.

    The cause of the incident is unclear as of now but Badeh said “there was so light and moderate rain on their arrival and there was an overcast. We would look into that. That might have a chance or a role to play.

    “Other than that, I can’t really say until we recover the flight recorder and speak to more witnesses there.”

  • NSIB launches investigation into helicopter accident

    NSIB launches investigation into helicopter accident

    The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into the accident involving a Sikorsky SK76c helicopter with registration 5N-BQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, the NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, on Thursday in Abuja.

    According to her, the helicopter, carrying eight individuals – six passengers and two crew members – went down into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, off the coast of Calabar.

    She said the incident occurred during a routine flight at approximately 11:22 a.m. local time on Thursday.

    “The aircraft was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the Anton Offshore Facility when it lost contact with air traffic controllers around 10:52 a.m.

    “Operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), the helicopter did not transmit an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal, prompting authorities to manually plot the accident’s location to expedite search and rescue efforts.

    “Search and rescue operations were activated immediately, with the NSIB collaborating closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Armed Forces and other relevant agencies.”

    According to her, emergency response teams are actively working to locate survivors, with three bodies recovered so far.

    She said the search continued with the support from neighbouring aerodromes, military units, and low-flying aircraft.

    She quoted Capt. Alex Badeh, the NSIB Director -General, as saying that the thoughts and prayers of the entire NSIB staff were with the families affected by the tragic incident.

    “We are fully committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding this accident. We will work diligently to ensure that all necessary information is collected.

    “The public must avoid speculation during this sensitive time, as our focus is on providing clarity and accountability through our investigation.

    “The NSIB is actively preparing to dispatch a go-team to the scene to gather evidence and conduct a comprehensive analysis.

    “A preliminary report will be issued in due course to provide updates on the investigation’s progress.”

    Badeh said that NSIB remained dedicated to promoting transparency and accountability through the independent accident investigation process, ultimately enhancing transportation safety in Nigeria.

    NAN reports that NSIB is a multimodal transport agency charged with the mandate of promoting transport safety and conducting objective, thorough, and accurate investigations into transport accidents and incidents in Nigeria.

    NSIB aim is to identify probable causes and advocate for safety improvements based on the findings.

  • Just in: Helicopter conveying 22 tourists vanishes in Russia

    Just in: Helicopter conveying 22 tourists vanishes in Russia

    A search-and-rescue operation has been launched in Russia’s far-east following the disappearance of a helicopter with 22 people on board, most of them tourists.

    The Mi-8T helicopter took off from a base near the Vachkazhets volcano in the Kamchatka peninsula, the emergencies ministry said on Saturday.

    That area of the peninsula is a popular tourist destination, famous for its rich landscapes and active volcanoes.

    Officials say the helicopter disappeared from radar shortly after take off, adding that thick fog is hampering rescuers’ efforts.

    The helicopter, owned by Vityaz-Aero, was carrying out a trip to the volcano. Designed during the Soviet-era, the Mi-8 helicopter remains popular and widely used in Russia.

    It disappeared from radar and crew members failed to make contact from around 16:15 (04:15 GMT), the governor of Kamchatka said. An emergencies ministry source told the state-owned news agency Tass that the crew did not report any difficulties before the disappearance.

    Vladimir Solodov said it had 19 passengers and three crew members on board.

    The aerial search continuing into the night but there was poor visibility.

    Others have joined the search on foot, along the Bystraya River valley, along which the helicopter was supposed to move.

    The mountainous Kamchatka peninsula – more than 6,000 km (3,730 miles) east of Moscow – is popular among tourists.

    But there have been several air crashes over the years – two in just two months in 2021 alone.

  • Pilot dies after helicopter collides with hotel rooftop

    Pilot dies after helicopter collides with hotel rooftop

    A pilot has died after a helicopter collided with a hotel roof in Australia early on Monday.

    Queensland police said that emergency services were called to the hotel in Cairns, in north-eastern Australia, around 1:50 a.m. following reports a twin engine helicopter had crashed into the roof.

    Australian police said in a statement that the resulting impact caused a fire on top of the hotel; however the building was evacuated as a precaution and there were no casualties.

    The sole occupant of the helicopter was confirmed dead at the scene and forensic investigations were underway to formally identify them.

    Police said that an exclusion zone had been declared in the area and the Forensic Crash Unit and Australian Transport Safety Bureau would prepare a report for the Coroner.

    Investigations into the accident are ongoing.

  • IG deploys helicopter to rescue abducted Kogi varsity students

    IG deploys helicopter to rescue abducted Kogi varsity students

    The Inspector General of Police (I-G), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has deployed an helicopter and police security apparatus to rescue the remaining abducted university students in Kogi.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson for the police command in Kogi, SP Williams Ovye-Aya on Thursday in Lokoja.

    Ovye-Aya said that the police were determined to rescue the remaining students.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) were on May 9 abducted by suspected bandits, who invaded the institution while the students were reading for their first semester examination.

    Although 21 students had been rescued, the remaining had yet to be rescued.

    “In furtherance to the ongoing Rescue Operation and to sustain the onslaught, the IGP deployed the Air Component of Police Security Apparatus well trained for Aerial Surveillance, Monitoring Team as well as Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) to Kogi.

    “The reinforcement is in response to IGP’s unwavering passion about protecting lives and property of all Nigerians especially the safety of our Children in various Schools in the Country.

    “The diligence and indomitable spirit of all the combined Team had led to the rescue of additional seven (7) victims, bringing the total to Twenty-one (21).

    “It is not over until it is over, so we won’t rest on our Oars as all hands will be on deck to ensure all the students are safely rescued and perpetrators brought to deserved justice,’’ he said.

    He added: “Already, the Kogi government as well as the University Community are satisfied with the rescue operations so far and commended the indubitable, unassailable level of cooperation, collaboration and synergy amongst the Security agencies, local vigilantes and hunters in the State.”

    He said that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Bethrand Onuoha, thanked the I-G for the deployment of the air component, the security personnel, and vigilantes/hunters for their show of patriotism and altruism to the people of Kogi.

    “The CP also appreciates the vibrant pressmen in the state for their show of concern and empathy in the wake of the students’ abduction,” he said.

    ‘’The CP continues to solicit the cooperation, collaboration and solidarity of the good people of Kogi with the police and other security agencies to ensure adequate security of life and property of law-abiding residents of the state,’’ he said.

  • UPDATED: Images of Wigwe’s helicopter crash site released [See photos]

    UPDATED: Images of Wigwe’s helicopter crash site released [See photos]

    The images showing the site of the helicopter accident that killed Herbert Wigwe, the chief executive officer of Access Holdings, have been made public by the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

    Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi Wigwe, and former chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Abimbola Ogunbanjo perished in a tragic Airbus EC130 helicopter accident at the California-Nevada border in Halloran Springs.

    In the photos released on Tuesday, officials of the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were seen inspecting the debris of the ill-fated helicopter.

    The images, released after Michael Graham, a board member with the NTSB, said they had visited the site and outlined the activities conducted on the first full day of investigation at the accident site, show NTSB officials observing the wreckage at the site.

    Graham emphasised the agency’s commitment to a meticulous examination of the scene, saying the team conducted aerial drone mapping and documented the wreckage.

    He stated that various electronic devices and onboard equipment were recovered at the scene for further examination and analysis.

  • ‘Let us number our days’ – Herbert Wigwe tweeted before his death

    ‘Let us number our days’ – Herbert Wigwe tweeted before his death

    The late Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe made a post about 21 days before his death, on X formerly known as Twitter urging his followers to number their days.

    The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Saturday confirmed the crash of a helicopter carrying six passengers in a Southern California desert near Las Vegas.

    He was reportedly on board with five others believed to be his wife, son, and Mr Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc.

    Wigwe wrote, “Today and always, let us remember that life is a precious gift – a chance to breathe, feel, love, experience and connect.

    “Let’s honour this gift by living with purpose, kindness, and gratitude, making every moment count. Let us number our days”.