Following suspension from operations of the Sirkorsky S76C series and the ongoing audit of Bristow Helicopters, 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.
According to the NCAA, 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.
2. Detailed Inspection in accordance with relevant S76C AMM 66-00-00.
3. Detailed Inspection in accordance with relevant S76C AMM 66-10-00,66-20-00,66-30-00,66-40-00.
Sam Adurogboye, spokesman for NCAA, said in a statement that the directive was contained in a letter earlier dispatched to all operators of the affected helicopters types.
“This safety inspection directive must be complied with within 72 hours on receipt of the letter and repeated after every 300 flight hours until further notice.
The Authority must immediately be provided 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) wants to reiterate that it will not leave any stone unturned to ensure that air transport is safe and secure in Nigeria”, he said.
By: Sade Williams