The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has expressed worry over the incessant accidents involving Bristow aircraft.
THISDAY learnt that although the Authority commended the captain of the helicopter, Captain Jaiyeola, for her ability to ditch in the waters thereby saving 11 lives on board but has expressed concern about the number of accidents the company has recorded in its operations in Nigeria.
Source at the Airworthiness Standards Directorate of NCAA told THISDAY, weekend that what happened was not an accident but an action taken when the captain in command noticed snags in the aircraft and decided to land in the water.
“We commended the pilot for the action she took because; maybe the pilot thought the helicopter had a snag so instead of it getting worse she decided to land the aircraft. She did a marvelous job; we had 11 people on board. But we have always told our pilots that if you put on the engine of the aircraft and notice something wrong; put it off and call the engineers to examine the aircraft; even if you are taxiing, abort it and go back. You can make air return and make sure the problem is checked,” the official said.
The NCAA source said the Authority had audited the company after the accident but was waiting for the report of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) before it would take the next action.
But THISDAY also learnt that many officials in the regulatory authority are worried because the accidents, “is also a red card to us” as they justified the suspension of the Sikorsky S-76C helicopter series being operated by Bristow as the aircraft was involved in last year’s accident where six persons lost their lives and less than a year later was also involved in the controlled ditching accident last Wednesday.
THISDAY gathered from a former official of the company that in 2010 Bristow ditched a Super Puma Helicopter and the reason behind the ditching was alleged poor maintenance “but the issue was covered up.
“Between 2011, 2012 and 2013 they had in excess of four wrong landings. All issues on this were buried. In 2010 their Jet XL crashed in Port Harcourt with Total Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Charles Ngoka on board. The accident was a landing by night with inexperienced crew for night flights 2010. The report for this is included in the AIB report
“In 2012, their Sikorsky 92 (similar to the one they ditched last Wednesday) caught fire on taxing at Lagos Airport with Total staff as passenger on board. This was a scary incident but somehow they managed to bury the story,” the source said.
THISDAY learnt that there was also a case of the Pan African Jet ranger ditching and allegedly the same maintenance issues arose as a result of the bad organisation of Bristow.
An indigenous operator in helicopter services told THISDAY that with international reputation Bristow takes over jobs that otherwise would have gone to indigenous operators; yet the rate of accidents recorded by the company indicate that many Nigerians lives are put at risk in its operations.
“Our argument here is that an indigenous company would never get the pass that this company receives time and time again. Their management is strictly British with staff who couldn’t care less about the welfare of the Nigerian staff. The local content is questionable while they use all manner of tactics from Aberdeen to frustrate local operators whilst at the same time are constantly putting lives of Nigerian passengers at risk.
“We are saying that the time has come for Bristow to answer some key questions. Why do they always compromise the safety of their operations in Nigeria with zero regard for Nigerian staff or operators?” the source said.
But Bristow said it takes safety seriously and has built reputation over the years as a dependable service company to oil and gas operations in Nigeria.
“Integrity is one of our core values as well. Teamwork is another one of our core values. So, we talk a lot about safety the reason being that it is what drives everything we talk about. So, I like that you have asked what else distinguish us from other players in the industry, it is our integrity, service, our commitment and our team work,”
Bristow Operational Base Manager, West African Business Unit, Mr. Jagjit Bains, once told THISDAY.
CULLED FROM THISDAY
