NCAA Slams Indefinite Suspension On Bristow’s Helicopter

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Thursday, February 4th, 2016

By Seun Adebosin

Twenty four hours after the latest crash incident, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended indefinitely, operations of the Bristow Helicopters Company, in particular, Sikorsky S-76C++ model.

NCAA Director General, Muhtar Usman, announced the suspension Thursday while briefing journalists in Lagos.

Giving the reason for its action, Usman indicated that it was to enable the agency carry out a full scale audit on its operations, with specific emphasis on the company’s Sikorsky S-76C++ model.

The decision, he affirmed was without prejudice to the investigations being conducted by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), adding that the approach would help to assist in the entire process.

Usman also assured that NCAA would fully support AIB’s in its investigation.

The Bristow Helicopter hours after the media report of the chopper crash, countered, ruling out accident and indicated it only landed on water.

The helicopter S-76 C++ which was enroute Lagos from Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, unusually touched down into the Atlantic Ocean. A total of 11 passengers with two crew members were on board.

Wednesday incident was almost a repeat of similar crash by another helicopter in Bristow fleet, which plunged into the Oworonsoki end of Lagoon, in August last year. Six out of 12 passengers on board died in the incident.