The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has lifted the
temporary suspension on the operation of the Bristow
Helicopter Sirkorsky S-76 aircrafts in the country.
This is contained in a statement signed by its External
Communications Manager, Julie King, which was obtained
by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.
NAN reports that NCAA had on Feb. 4, suspended Bristow
Helicopter’s aircraft type Sikorsky S-76C from further
operations in Nigeria due to the successive mishaps of the
aircraft type in the country.
However, the statement said the return of the Sikorsky S-76
aircraft to flight operations followed completion of the
NCAA's comprehensive operational audit.
It said the company, in addition, carried out an extensive
return to service safety activities.
The statement said Bristow Group Vice President, Global
Operations, Mr Mike Imlach, thanked the NCAA for
conducting a thorough review of its operations.
“We completed a detailed safety inspection of our S-76
series helicopters and test flights for all (16) S-76 aircraft
in compliance with the NCAA.
"Our Group President and CEO, Jonathan Baliff, was a
passenger in one of the approved non-revenue test flights
to demonstrate his confidence in the safety of our S-76
fleet," it quoted Imlach as saying.
The statement noted that Bristow had concluded a number
of return to service safety activities with flight crews,
engineers and other service employees, clients and key
stakeholders.
"This is an additional precautionary measure prior to
resuming the S-76 fleet to operation.
"These activities include maintenance assessment reviews,
risk assessment, and pre-flight safety briefings with
passengers to give them the opportunity to talk to the crew
and ask questions," it said.
The statement said the company had also engaged a
reputable independent third party aviation firm to conduct
an additional review of its entire operations in Nigeria.
"Bristow proposes that the review be extended to other
operators in Nigeria so that best practices can be shared
to enhance safety across the industry.
"The company has commenced discussions with a number
of operators regarding their participation.
"Bristow is in full compliance with NCAA regulatory
requirements and all Sikorsky directives for its fleet.
"The company maintains its aircraft to industry standards
in accordance with special maintenance and monitoring
programmes developed by the aircraft and engine
manufacturers, that are fully approved by the NCAA," it
said.
The statement quoted Bristow Senior Legal Director Africa
Region, Mr Tolu Olubajo, as saying that the company
would continue to cooperate fully with the Accident
Investigation Bureau (AIB).
“We thank our clients for their unwavering support during
this time and remain steadfast in our commitment to
continuing to honour our contractual obligations with them.
"Bristow has been committed to Nigeria for nearly 50 years
and we will continue to invest in support for our customers
and the country.
“Safety remains our number one core value and our Target
Zero culture governs every decision by the company,"
Olubajo was quoted as saying. (NAN)
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