 |
| Bristow Helicopter |
All
Sikorsky S-76++ aircraft in Bristow Helicopter’s fleet have been suspended from
flying until further notice by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The
suspension is to enable NCAA audit on Bristow’s operations, with emphasis on
its Sikorsky S-76C++ aircraft.
One
of such aircraft landed on water on Wednesday, with all those aboard rescued.
Another
crashed in Lagos last August 12, killing the pilot, co-pilot and four
passengers on board.
At
a briefing in Lagos yesterday, NCAA Director-General, Muhtar Usman said it had
become important to stem the frequent occurrences and ensure the airline
carries out safe operations.
The suspension, he said, would not affect investigations into Wednesday’s crash
by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).
Usman said the recurring Bristow Helicopters accidents would
also not affect next month’s safety audit to be done on Nigeria by the
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
He said: “I must mention that this suspension of the
operations for the impending wholesale audit is not a vote of no confidence on
the airline. It is to ascertain the adequacy and the propriety of the operating
aircraft.”
This action, he added, is not new to the industry, but one of
the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) all over the world.
NCAA, Usman said, would continue to carry out safe and secure
operations, adding: “These decisions are without prejudice to the
investigations being conducted by 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.
“If you may recall, in August, 2015, a Bristow Helicopter
operated Sikorsky S-76 series crashed around Oworonsoki axis in Lagos.
“What this means is that yesterday’s (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 the rapidity of occurrence and ensure the airline carry out
safe operations.
Also in a statement yesterday, Bristow confirmed that NCAA
has advised it to temporarily stop operation of the Sikorsky S-76++ aircraft.
The statement reads:” We are continuing to cooperate fully
with NCAA and AIB in its investigation concerning the Bristow helicopter that
was involved in the controlled water landing near Lagos on Wednesday.”
FOR MORE STORIES VISIT
CKN NEWS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:
Twitter: @CKNNigeria
Facebook: CKNNigeria
CKN NEWS Hotline:
08080054001
Whatsapp: 08099677755
BBM : 2BE329DF
Website: www.cknnigeria.com