The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) yesterday wielded the big stick by grounding all Sikorsky -76++ helicopters in the fleet of Bristow Helicopters pending the completion of audit on the aircraft type. The Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Usman Muhtar, made the disclosure at a press briefing in Lagos.
The decision, according to NCAA, was without prejudice to the investigations being conducted by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB). Eleven persons, on Wednesday, escaped death by a whisker after a Bristow 5B BJQ Helicopter en route Lagos from an offshore location in Port Harcourt ditched inside the Atlantic Ocean, 20 miles to Lagos.
The incident came six months after another Bristow Helicopters’ chopper crashed into the Lagos lagoon near Oworonshoki Area of Lagos. The NCAA boss noted that the regulatory authority views with utmost seriousness the successive mishaps of Bristow Helicopters’ operating aircraft SikorskyS-76C++ on the coastal waters of Lagos.
He, however, explained that the suspension of operations for the impending wholesale audit is not a vote of no confidence on the airline, stressing it is to ascertain the adequacy and propriety of the operating aircraft type.
“The aviation regulatory body views with utmost seriousness the successive mishaps of Bristow Helicopters’ operating aircraft Sikorsky S-76C++ on the coastal waters of Lagos.”
According to him, 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 Sikorsky S-76 aircraft is an American medium-size commercial utility helicopter manufactured by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. It is a twin turbo shaft engines; four-bladed main and tail rotors. It has a retractable landing gear.
Sikorsky’s development began in the mid- 1970s with the design goal of providing a medium helicopter for corporate transportation and the oil drilling industry. “If you may recall, 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,” Muhtar added. Reminded of a report that suggested that the ill-fated aircraft was defective, Muhtar said he was not aware of the allegation.
On the hurried audit of the aircraft type after accidents, the NCAA chief explained that audit is a normal process, adding that the aviation regulatory body do inspect, audit and also mount surveillance in addition.
