Abimbola Jayeola is a true hero. As Nigeria’s first female helicopter captain, she saved the lives of 11 people when her helicopter crashed into the water. She ditched the helicopter and avoided landing on it, which undoubtedly prevented further injury or loss of life in the Bristow crash on February 4, 2016. Her quick thinking and selfless actions are an inspiration to us all. Thanks to her, 11 people are alive today who might otherwise have perished. The world is truly grateful for her heroism.
Abimbola Jayeola who became Nigeria’s First Female Helicopter Captain in December 2014, flew the 5B BJQ Bristow helicopter that was headed to Lagos from Port Harcourt which could not be rescued from crashing but averted a more dangerous scenario by “ditching” into the Atlantic Ocean. “Ditching” is a controlled emergency measure to land an aircraft on water.
Skybrary.com, an aviation website, describes ditching as a manoeuvre “that, by definition, cannot be practiced and may be extremely hazardous. It is only contemplated when no other realistic option remains in an emergency or, in the rotary case, imminent emergency situation.”
See also: Paul E. Williams invented the components of the “first useful helicopter”
Around 10am on a quiet Thursday morning, Captain Jayeola sent out a distress call. Her helicopter which had on board mostly ExxonMobil staff — and two crew members will be headed into the Atlantic 20 minutes later. Fortunately, Captain Jayeola’s call was picked up by MV-DIJAMA, a new vessel owned by local Nigerian company L.A.T.C Marine Ltd. The MV-DIJAMA was able to arrive at the scene by 11.50, which launched its Fast Rescue Boat immediately and started receiving the casualties from the chopper’s LifeRafts. All 11 crew on board were rescued safely.
Captain Jayeola and her crew are lucky to be alive, thanks to the quick response of the MV-DIJAMA. This is a reminder of the importance of having a well-equipped and responsive rescue team in place in case of accidents at sea. For instance, a year earlier, a Bristow helicopter departing Port Harcourt for Lagos crashed in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos, killing six people, including the captain.
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