The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA has suspended Bristow Helicopter’s aircraft type SikorskyS-76C++ from further operations in Nigeria till further notice.
This suspension is as a result of the successive mishaps of the said aircraft type on the coastal waters of Lagos.
While disclosing this development to reporters at the NCAA Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Lagos, Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Muhtar Usman explained that the aircraft type had been suspended till further notice pending when the authority will carry out a full audit on it.
Captain Usman said “On the heels of the Bristow Helicopter’s controlled ditching yesterday, 3rd February 2016, I consider it expedient to communicate to you certain decisions that the Authority has taken concerning the incident.
“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 the entire process. The Authority will fully support AIB in the investigation.
“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has therefore decided to suspend the operation of the Bristow Helicopters SikorskyS-76C++ type till further notice.”