Black Box of Crashed Bristow Helicopter Still Missing

Black Box of Crashed Bristow Helicopter Still Missing

Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) today confirmed that the black box of Bristow Helicopter which crashed 3 days ago in Lagos, killing six people, was yet to be found just as the agency refused to name the victims of the accident, saying the families have to be informed first.

The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder (known as black box) are the vital components that aid investigation to determine the cause or causes of the accident, the roles played by the pilot, the conversation between the cockpit and the tower and all the manoeuvring are captured in the equipment.

The Commissioner of AIB, Dr Felix Abali explained that the helicopter had 12 souls on board, the flight captain, flight officer and 10 passengers, adding that six survivors of the crash were recovering and in instable condition.

“Six survivors are receiving treatment and they are in stable condition. The main part of the aircraft has been recovered but the black boxes are yet to be recovered. Investigation continues and Julius Berger will tomorrow continue to search for the missing parts of the aircraft. We have a copy of the manifest but it is against the law for us to release until the families of the deceased are notified. It is therefore the responsibility of the airline to release the manifest. We can only release the manifest with the consent of the families who lost their loved ones,” Abali said.

AIB also said that it would release the preliminary investigation of the crash very soon but according to regulation, the Bureau has 30 days before releasing the report.

Meanwhile, Bristow Helicopters (Nigeria) Limited suspended operations after the accident on Wednesday and confirmed that the aircraft that was involved in an accident in Lagos, Nigeria, on August 12, 2015, carried 10 passengers and a crew of two six survivors and six fatalities.

The Bristow flight crew was among the fatalities, comprised of Captain Joseph “Jay” Wyatt of Oklahoma, U.S., and First Officer Peter Bello, of Nigeria.

The company said Captain Wyatt joined Bristow in 2006 and has spent his entire career flying with Bristow Helicopters out of Africa, while First Officer, Peter Bello joined Bristow in 2014 after graduating from Bristow Academy’s helicopter flight school, adding that both were experienced and qualified.

“We are shaken and deeply saddened by this tragic accident,” said Bristow’s Regional Director Africa, Duncan Moore. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and loved ones of all those on board.”

Bristow said it had mobilised the full resources of its response team and is working closely with authorities on the investigation, including at the accident site to recover the aircraft.

“Medical treatment is being provided to those who are injured and trained coordinators have been assigned to the families of the crew members and passengers to support them with their every need and ensure that they receive the most current information and assistance.