The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has clarified the distinction between aircraft registrations 5N-BQG and 5N-BGN, following a Sahara Reporters article questioning the airworthiness of a recently crashed helicopter operated by Eastwind Aviation.
Sahara Reporters had linked 5N-BQG with a deregistered helicopter, creating confusion around the aircraft’s operational status.
In an official statement, acting director-general of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo emphasised the critical role of manufacturer serial numbers (MSNs) in tracking aircraft, noting that each helicopter possesses unique MSN and registration details. The Eastwind Aviation S76C+ helicopter involved in the recent Port Harcourt incident bears the registration 5N-BQG and MSN 760486. Conversely, 5N-BGN, with MSN 760468, was a former Aero Contractors helicopter deregistered in Canada in 2009 and was not operational in Nigeria.
According to the NCAA, the confusion arose from a misinterpretation by Sahara Reporters, which conflated historical records of 5N-BGN with the recently operated 5N-BQG. The report suggested that the crashed helicopter was the decommissioned 5N-BGN model, erroneously implying a lapse in regulatory oversight. However, the NCAA’s detailed records affirm the distinct registration and ownership paths of these helicopters, dismissing any overlap in their operational histories.
Records show that 5N-BGN, initially registered with Aero Contractors in 2004, was transferred to Canada in 2009. The 5N-BQG helicopter, on the other hand, was registered by Nestoil Plc in 2012, with ownership and operational changes over the years before its final registration with Eastwind Aviation in February 2024. This comprehensive record dispels any link between 5N-BQG and the deregistered 5N-BGN.
Highlighting the importance of regulatory transparency, Najomo reaffirmed that the NCAA’s stringent processes ensure aircraft operating in Nigeria meet rigorous standards for safety and airworthiness. The agency remains committed to maintaining public trust through proactive information sharing and accurate reporting.
The NCAA’s response underscores the necessity for precise record interpretation, especially in aviation reporting. Misrepresentation of data not only misguides the public but can also erode confidence in regulatory institutions. This incident emphasizes the NCAA’s role in safeguarding Nigerian airspace through meticulous tracking and oversight, with reassurances that 5N-BQG, prior to the crash, was a fully compliant and airworthy aircraft registered under valid ownership.
