Description

On 12 August 2015, a Sikorsky S76C (5N-BGD) being operated by Bristow Helicopters on a non-scheduled passenger flight from the SEDCO Express Platform to Lagos was in day VMC at 1000 feet maintaining 120 knots when it suddenly experienced an uncommanded pitch up, yaw and roll from which recovery was not achieved and 12 seconds later it crashed into a shallow lagoon in a suburb of Lagos. Both pilots and 4 of the 10 passengers on board were killed, the other six passengers were all seriously injured and the helicopter was destroyed.

Investigation

An Accident Investigation was carried out by the Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB). The solid state combined CVDR and an additional CVR installed in the helicopter were recovered from the submerged wreckage on the same day as the accident and together provided access to voice and flight data relevant to the accident, although it was noted that the CVDR did not contain voice data. The main wreckage of the aircraft was subsequently raised from the bottom of the lagoon.

It was noted that the 37 year-old Captain was of US nationality and had accumulated a total of 5,406 hours flying experience of which 1,077 hours were on type. The 26 year-old First Officer was of Nigerian nationality and had a total of 808 hours flying experience of which 570 hours were on type.