Crashed Helicopter black box, Corkpit Voice Recorder found

dimeji akinloye

August 14, 2015 9:48 PM

After two days of frantic search, the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) announced today, August 14, that it is in possession of the recorders.

Full investigation into the Bristow Helicopter which crashed in Oworonshoki area of Lagos on Wednesday, August 12, has begun following recovery of then Flight Data Recorder and Corkpit Voice Recorder popularly known as Black Boxes

Head,Public Affairs, AIB, Tunji Oketunbi made this announcement.

He said, “the Accident Investigation Bureau announced today(Friday) that the flight recorders, popularly known as black boxes, to the Sikosky 76 helicopter that crashed into the lagoon in Oworonshoki area of Lagos on Wednesday 12 August, 2015 have been recovered.”

He added that “The Sikosky 76 helicopter marked 5N-BGD and operated by Bristow Helicopters was believed to have departed SEDCO oil platform offshore and crashed shortly before landing at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.”

“The search party led by Julius Berger with the assistance of a hired diver located the recorders, which are expected to assist the investigators in unraveling the cause of the accident in which four passengers and two crew members were fatally injured. Six other passengers are receiving treatment at a private hospital.”

“The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) contains data generated from different parts of the aircraft including the engines and the avionics while the Cockpit Voice Recorder will unveil conversations within the cockpit and between the pilots and the Control Tower.”

“The biggest part of the wreckage of the ill fated aircraft was recovered yesterday but without the black boxes. The search was resumed today (Friday). “

The investigation team also said that investigation has extended to retrieving documents and other materials from Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the airline operator.

dimeji akinloye