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The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the operation of the Bristow Helicopters Ltd’s Sikorsky S-76C++ model, till further notice, a day after a chopper operated by the company crashed.
The director-general of the NCAA, Muhtar Usman, announced this while briefing journalists on Thursday in Lagos.
He said the suspension would enable the NCAA to carry out a full scale audit on its operations, with particular emphasis on its Sikorsky S-76C++ type.
Usman said:
“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, Sikorsky S-76C++, on the coastal waters of Lagos.
“The NCAA has therefore decided to suspend the operation of the Bristow Helicopters’ Sikorsky S-76C++ type, till further notice,” Mr. Usman, a captain, said.
He recalled that on August 12, 2015, a Bristow Helicopter-operated Sikorsky S-76 series crashed around the Oworonshoki axis in Lagos.
“What this means is that Wednesday’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 that the airline carries out safe operations,” Mr. Usman said.
The director general explained that the suspension of operations for the impending wholesale audit was not a vote of no confidence on the airline.
The S-76 C++ helicopter marked 5N-BQJ belonging to Bristow Helicopters, enroute Lagos from an off shore location, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday.
All 11 people on board, including two crew members were, however, rescued alive.