NCAA establishes difference between crashed Sikorsky Helicopter, Aero’s deregistered 5N-BGN
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has emphasised the clear difference between helicopters 5N-BQG and 5N-BGN, correcting recent misleading reports.
Public concerns arose from incorrect claims about the aircraft’s airworthiness and registration, prompting the NCAA’s response.
Notably, media reports inaccurately noted that the crashed Sikorsky helicopter marked 5N-BQG was previously Aero’s deregistered 5N-BGN.
This confusion led to questions on how the helicopter returned to Nigeria, was re-registered, and eventually crashed.
The NCAA’s Acting Director General, Captain Chris Najomo, clarified this difference between helicopters, stressing the Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) as essential in tracking each aircraft’s history.
Najomo explained that while the crashed Sikorsky, marked 5N-BQG, holds the MSN 760486, the deregistered 5N-BGN has MSN 760468.
This clear difference between helicopters, he added, highlights unique identifiers and ensures accurate information. The S76C+ Helicopter with 5N-BGN was registered to Aero Contractors in 2004, with initial ownership by Capital Aviation Services B.V. By 2006, RBS Aerospace Limited took ownership, with Aero Contractors maintaining operations until it was deregistered and transferred to Canada in 2009.
Meanwhile, the S76C+ Helicopter marked 5N-BQG was first registered on December 10, 2012, with Nestoil Plc listed as owner.
Subsequently, in 2021, Omni-Blu Aviation Ltd. took over its operations, while ownership passed to DANBA Associates Limited. Eastwind Aviation Logistics Services Limited eventually assumed ownership and operational control, affirming the difference between helicopters involved in these reports.
This progression in ownership and operational control highlights the distinctions NCAA confirmed, maintaining transparency and addressing the public’s confusion.
Najomo concluded, “From these records, it is evident that Sahara Reporters misinterpreted information about Eastwind’s helicopter.
“They confused the crashed S76C+ Helicopter 5N-BQG with Aero’s deregistered S76C+ Helicopter 5N-BGN.”
This clarified difference between helicopters corrects any misconceptions and highlights their distinct histories.
