Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Grounds Bristow Helicopters After Lagos Crash

by Benson Agoha | In London

* A Sikorsky S-76C in flight. (Credit: via Wiki).

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded all Sikorsky S-76C operated by Bristow Helicopters, according latest local media reports.

In a statement earlier on its website, Bristow Helicopters said the measure was `standard practice' and temporary.

It said the NCAA "advised Bristow to temporarily stop operation of the Sikorsky S-76C family of aircraft in Nigeria."

It comes after NCAA Director General, Capt. Muhtar Usman, announced the suspension while addressing journalists earlier today "to enable the Agency carry out a full scale audit on its operations with particular emphasis on its Sikorsky S-76C type."

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

"We are continuing to cooperate fully with the NCAA and the Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau (NAIB) in its investigation concerning the Bristow helicopter that was involved in the controlled water landing near Lagos on Feb. 3, 2016," said the company.