Report on the Accident Involving Bristow Helicopters, Registration 5N-BMM at Port Harcourt International Airport, River State. Nigeria On 14th July 2011

5N-BMM departed Lagos at 1856hrs for Port Harcourt on an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and estimated Port Harcourt at 1940 hrs. The aircraft was cleared to maintain FL 330.

The aircraft’s first contact with Port Harcourt was at 1914hrs. The pilot reported maintaining FL330 with six souls onboard, four hours fuel endurance and estimating POT VOR at 1940hrs. The aircraft was cleared to POT, to maintain FL330 with no delay expected for ILS Approach Runway 21, QNH 1011 and to report when released by Lagos. At 1921 hrs the pilot reported 100 NM to POT and requested for descent.