The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has said Bristow Helicopters has concluded the mandatory test flight on the Sikorsky S-76 C++ type that it suspended on February 4.
This disclosure was made known by the General Manager, Public Affairs of the NCAA, Mr Sam Adurogboye, in Lagos on Saturday.
Adurogboye said, “The test flight was part of the full scale audit that was conducted on the operation of the airline’s helicopter type. I can confirm that NCAA has authorised the helicopter test flight, which is part of the audit carried out by it.
“However, our team will be submitting their report shortly to the management who will then decide on the next line of action,” Adurogboye said.
DAILY POST recalls that the Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Mukhtar Usman, on February 4, announced the suspension of the operation of Bristow’s Sikorsky S-76C++ model till further notice. The development followed the crash laanding of the aircraft near Lagos on return from an offshore platform with eleven people on board.
Usman said the suspension would enable the NCAA to carry out a full scale audit on its operations, with particular emphasis on its Sikorsky S-76C++ type.
Bristow Helicopters, in a statement signed by its airline Media Consultant, Mr Cornelius Onuoha, said that the airline was conducting series of additional safety assurance checks on the Sikorsky S-76 fleet.
According to the statement, the check was part of its precautionary measures before returning the aircraft to service.
“We are in full compliance of all Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regulatory requirements and Sikorsky operating directives.
“Safety is Bristow’s number one core value and we remain focused on safety in all aspects of our operation.
“In addition, we will continue to cooperate fully with the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) in its investigation into the event of February 3,” the statement said, adding that Bristow remained committed to continuing its safety work with all members of the aviation community, including other operators to share best practices.
“The airline would also support other initiatives that would help improve safety, and to honouring the contractual obligations with its customers,” the statement said.
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