The helicopter was a 365N. The Nigerian pilot worked in Nigeria flying Dauphins (as well as other types) for many years before going to Ghana.
Report from the Nigerian newspaper Daily Trust, reports that 4 people, 3 Ghanaian and 1 British survived the crash and 1 is still missing. The 2 crew and 1 Ghanaian passenger are confirmed dead.
Accra, Ghana — A Nigerian and two other people have been confirmed dead after a helicopter they were in crashed into the deep waters at West Cape Three Points off the coast of Ghana.
The Ghana-registered chopper, which was conveying eight people, including two crew members and six oil workers, crashed into the sea near one of the oil rigs, 20 nautical miles off Takoradi, Western Region on Thursday evening.
The crew, including the pilot and co-pilot, a French national and a Nigerian, perished in the crash. A Ghanaian passenger was also confirmed dead.
Four people, three Ghanaians and a Briton, survived the crash, while one person is still missing. The bodies of the dead have been deposited in the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital morgue.
The helicopter, operated by the Volta River Aviation and on contract to Russian oil giant Lukoil, was on routine crew shuttle mission transporting contractor personnel from the airport in Takoradi to the Jack Ryan UDW drillship chartered by Lukoil to conduct exploration activities offshore Ghana, a statement from the oil company said.
The incident has been confirmed by the Air Traffic Services of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the Ghana Air Force. The public relations officer of Two Garrison Command of the Ghana Air Force, Captain Linda Oboh, also indicated that a rescue team was searching for the missing person.