NCAA responds to ‘misreporting’ on helicopter crash, airworthiness

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has addressed concerns regarding the airworthiness of the helicopter recently involved in a crash in Lagos.

The statement, signed on Wednesday by Capt. Chris Najomo, Acting Director-General of Civil Aviation, was released following an article by Sahara Reporters which questioned the aircraft’s registration and history, mistakenly identifying it as a previously deregistered aircraft.

Sahara Reporters had alleged that the helicopter, registered as 5N-BOG, was previously known as 5N-BGN and had been deregistered and scrapped in Canada. They raised questions about how the aircraft returned to Nigeria under a new registration. However, according to the NCAA, this information is inaccurate due to confusion over two similar aircraft.

In a detailed clarification, Capt. Najomo provided the following key points:

1. Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) Differentiation: The two helicopters in question are distinguishable not only by registration but also by their Manufacturer Serial Numbers (MSN). The helicopter involved in the crash, identified as 5N-BOG, carries the MSN 760486, whereas the previously deregistered 5N-BGN is associated with MSN 760468.
2. Historical Details of 5N-BGN (MSN: 760468): Initially registered in Nigeria in 2004 under Aero Contractors with Aero Capital Aviation Services as the owner, 5N-BGN was subsequently deregistered to Canada in 2009. Its registration was formally canceled upon its deregistration, rendering it no longer operational in Nigeria.
3. Details of 5N-BOG (MSN: 760486): The recently crashed helicopter, 5N-BOG, was first registered in 2012 with Nestol Plc as its owner and operator. Over the years, ownership and operational control were transferred multiple times, with Omni-Blu Aviation Ltd. operating it until its final transfer to Eastwind Aviation Logistics Services Limited in 2024. The NCAA clarified that, at the time of the incident, the aircraft was fully registered and compliant with national and international aviation standards.

In concluding, Capt. Najomo emphasized the importance of distinguishing aircraft by their unique MSNs to avoid confusion and misinformation. He affirmed that the NCAA remains committed to maintaining accurate records and upholding strict safety standards for Nigeria’s aviation sector.