Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has lifted its suspension of Sikorsky S-76C Helicopters operated by Bristow, after barely 30 days, allowing the firm to resume operations.
The helicopeters were grounded after a February 3 controlled ditching of the Helicopter which happened barely six months after the same Helicopter type crashed in Lagos.
The authority suspended the operation of the Helicopters to enable it carry out a full scale audit of the company.
Spokesman of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye confirmed to our correspondent on Saturday that the company had met all the audit requirements to resume operations.
Bristow also confirmed the return of Sikorsky S-76 aircraft to service on Sunday following completion of the NCAA comprehensive operational audit and the company’s extensive return to service safety activities.
Bristow Group Vice President, Global Operations, Mike Imlach lauded the NCAA for "conducting a thorough review of our operations”.
Bristow added that it has concluded a number of return to service safety activities with flight crews, engineers and other service employees, clients and key stakeholders, as 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.
The company has also engaged a reputable independent third party aviation firm to conduct an additional review of its entire operations in Nigeria.
Bristow has operated variants of the S-76 type for more than 35 years and remains confident in the Sikorsky S-76 family of aircraft, which has an enviable safety record spanning many decades with more than 6.8 million flight hours.
Imlach said, “Safety remains our number one core value and our Target Zero culture governs every decision by the company.
"We remain equally committed to continuing our safety work with all members of the aviation community, including other operators, to share best practices and support other initiatives that will help improve safety.”
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