NCAA suspends Bristow Helicopters' Sikorsky S-76C++ operations

...Suspension not a vote of no confidence on the airline -DG

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has grounded the operations of the Bristow Helicopters' Sikorsky S-76C++ type till further notice. Communicating the decision of the agency was the Director-General, Capt. Muhtar Usman at a briefing in Lagos earlier today. He said, "the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has therefore decided to suspend the operation of the Bristow Helicopters Limited’s Sikorsky S-76C++ type till further notice.

This suspension will enable the Authority carry out a full scale audit on its operations with particular emphasis on its Sikorsky S-76C++ type."

The DG further explained that, “these decisions are without prejudice to the investigations being conducted by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB). As a matter of fact, it will serve to assist in the entire process. The Authority will fully support AIB in the investigation.

Therefore, the Regulatory Authority views with utmost seriousness the successive mishaps of Bristow Helicopters’ operating aircraft SikorskyS-76C++ on the coastal waters of Lagos."

Capt. Muhtar said that the suspension of operations for the impending wholesale audit is not a vote of no confidence on the airline but to ascertain the adequacy and propriety of the operating aircraft type.

"This is not new in the industry, it is one of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) all over the world."-said he.

Giving the reason for the suspension, Usman said that in August, 2015, a Bristow Helicopter operated Sikorsky S-76 series crashed around Oworonshoki axis in Lagos.

"What this means is that yesterday’s incident is occurring a little over six months after the preceding one.

Therefore as a responsible Regulatory Authority, it is important to stem this rapidity of occurrence and ensure the airline carry out safe operations."