The recent news regarding the EASTWIND Aviation Logistics Services Limited helicopter, registered as 5N-BQG, has sparked strong reactions following conflicting reports circulated by an online media outlet. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) quickly moved to debunk the erroneous information relayed by Sahara Reporters, describing it as “misleading”.
The Acting Director General, Captain Chris Najomo, expressed the NCAA’s concerns and sought to clarify the situation. He affirmed that the helicopter in question did indeed have a valid airworthiness certificate and had not been scrapped in any way. He further noted that the confusion was due to the misinterpretation of data relating to two different aircraft.
It is essential to underline the accuracy of the details provided by Najomo to clear up any misunderstanding. Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) 760486 was associated with the accident helicopter, registration 5N-BQG, while another similar model, registration 5N-BGN and owned by Aero Contractors, had a separate registration history. The latter had been deregistered in 2009 and transferred to Canada.
Najomo stressed the importance of distinguishing aircraft not only by registration, but also by serial number. He provided a detailed operational history of helicopter 5N-BQG, originally registered in 2012 and transferred to EASTWIND Aviation Logistics Services Limited in February 2024. This valuable information dispelled doubts about the reliability of the aircraft in question.
The NCAA’s responsiveness to these erroneous allegations underscores the importance of carefully verifying sources of information before disseminating them. Maintaining a high level of transparency and accuracy is crucial, especially when dealing with sensitive issues such as aviation safety. This clarification reveals the aviation authority’s commitment to ensuring flight safety and quality air services in Nigeria.