Recommendations to Sikorsky averted crash in Brazil –AIB

Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB while giving update on the recent Bristow Helicopters’ Sikorsky 76C ++  ditching on the Atlantic Ocean said the recommendation given on the previous accident averted a serious accident in Brazil. Responding to query on the gains of the previous accident involving the same type of machine, the Director of Engineering,  Engr. Emmanuel Diala said, “ based on the recommendations given to the aircraft manufacturer, Sikorsky on the previous accident, a serious accident involving the same type of aircraft was averted in Brazil. This is the global effect accident investigation can have”. He said they are putting a lot of effort in their investigation to avert reoccurrence in the future. Meanwhile, the Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of AIB, Dr. Felix Abali in his speech said pilots of the crashed Sikorsky 76C ++ helicopter with marked 5N-BQJ raised Emergency alert also known as ‘May Day’ twice before abandoning ship over the Atlantic Ocean. The bureau said the first cry of ‘May Day’ was declared at 78 nautical miles from Lagos by the crew, who complained of instrument problems. Immediately after that call, the helicopter descended from 3,000 feet to 1,500 feet.

Abali further said the captain declared the second ‘May Day’ to the radio operator at the offshore platform, which was relayed to Air Traffic Control, ATC, by two aircraft. He explained that one of the aircraft was following the communication and relayed the ditching, which occurred at 10:20am at 29 nautical miles away from the platform. Abali added that when the helicopter developed fault mid-air, the Flying Officer, FO, was the Pilot Flying, PF, adding that the captain took control of the chopper expecting to stabilise equipment, but failed.

The agency further stated that the Cockpit Image Recorder will be flown to the United Kingdom for downloading very soon.