Bristow ditch aftermath: NCAA issues safety directives on Sikorsky S76C, gives 72hrs deadline

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has ordered all airlines operating the Sikorsky S76C series to carry out a safety inspection on this helicopter type with immediate effect, this is following the safety audit, carried out on Bristow’s fleet following the aircraft ‘s controlled ditch into the Atlantic.

This safety inspection directive, according to the NCAA, must be complied with within 72 hours on receipt of the letter and repeated after every 300 flight hours until further notice.

The NCAA stated that as an interim safety measure, the underlisted safety inspections affects all Sikorsky S76C series helicopters operating in Nigeria. The action required are as follows: – 1. Visual Inspection in accordance with relevant S76C AMM 20-32-00. Detailed Inspection in accordance with relevant S76C AMM 66-00-00. Detailed Inspection in accordance with relevant S76C AMM 66-10-00, 66-20-00, 66-30-00, 66-40-00.

The directive was contained in a letter earlier dispatched to all operators of the affected helicopters types.

The Authority also notified all operators of this Sikorsky S76C series to immediately provide it with evidence of accomplishment of this directive.

This action is in addition to the suspension of Bristow Helicopters operations of S-76 C ++ series and the ongoing audit.

It is pertinent to point out that this directive is without prejudice to the ongoing investigation by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB)‎ which the Authority is fully supporting.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) also stated that in a bid to continuously entrench safety, it will not leave any stone unturned to ensure that air transport is safe and secure in Nigeria.