NCAA SUSPENDS OPERATION OF SIKORSKY S-76C AIRCRAFT AFTER LAGOS CRASH

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has suspended the operation of Bristow Helicopters Limited’s Sikorsky S-76C type of aircraft till further notice.

The Director-General, NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman, while addressing journalists today, said the suspension was to enable the Agency carry out a full scale audit on its operations with particular emphasis on its Sikorsky S-76C type.

The suspension comes a day after 11 people escaped death as a Bristow Helicopters’ Sikorsky S-76C+ helicopter crashed into the ocean in Lagos.

Six months earlier, in August 2015, six people lost their lives when a Sikorsky S-76C+ helicopter, also operated by Bristow Helicopters crashed into the Lagoon.

The Sikorsky S-76 is a medium-size commercial utility helicopter, manufactured by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. It has twin turboshaft engines, four-bladed main and tail rotors and retractable landing gear.