Nigerian Authorities Order Immediate Inspection Of Sikorsky S76C Helicopters

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, yesterday ordered all Airlines operating the SIKORSKY S76C series to carry out a safety inspection on this helicopter type with immediate effect.

The SIKORSKY S76C series operated by Bristow Helicopters has been involved in series of air accidents in the coastal waters of Nigeria.

Sam Adurogboye, General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA was quoted as saying by the local media, “As an interim safety measure, the under listed safety inspections affects all Sikorsky S76C series helicopters operating in Nigeria”.

“The action required are as follows: Visual Inspection in accordance with relevant S76C AMM 20-32-00. Secondly, detailed Inspection in accordance with relevant S76C AMM 66-00-00. And detailed Inspection in accordance with relevant S76C AMM 66-10-00,66-20-00,66-30-00,66-40-00,” Adurogboye said.

Aduroboye further said the directive was contained in a letter earlier dispatched to all operators of the affected helicopters types, adding that the 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.

“This action is in addition to the suspension of Bristow Helicopters operations of S-76 C ++ series and the ongoing audit”.