NCAA suspends Bristow Helicopter’s aircraft operations in Nigeria

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has suspended the operations of Bristow Helicopter’s aircraft type SikorskyS-76C++ after yesterday's crash. The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Muhtar Usman, stated this while speaking to aviation reporters at the NCAA Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA) yesterday.

He said that the aircraft type had been suspended till further notice pending when a full audit is carried out on it.

“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”he said

Bristow Helicopters have had successive air mishaps on the Lagos coaster waters with its SikorskyS-76C++ aircraft type within the last six months, one in August 2015 and one yesterday.