Bristow: Captain of Ditched Helicopter Trained in Nigeria, US

Bristow Helicopters has said that the Captain and the First Officer, who took the precautionary landing of its helicopter on the ocean about three weeks ago, were recruited and trained in Nigeria and in the US.

The airline therefore joined the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other Nigerians to commend the efforts, saying the trainings of its personnel are in accordance with international standards.

It added that the company has operated in Nigeria since 1969, primarily in support of the oil and gas industry and has continued to make important contributions to the country over the years, including the training and employment of a significant number of Nigerians as pilots and engineers.

“The all Nigerian crew (the Captain and the First Officer) of Bristow S76C++ helicopter (5N-BQJ), which executed a precautionary landing on 3 February, 2016, were recruited and trained locally in Nigeria and also at the Bristow Academy in Titusville, Florida, in the United States, in accordance with Bristow’s training program.

“Bristow’s training program fully complies with the regulatory requirements of both the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and international standards. Following their qualification as pilots, the crew was employed by Bristow and continued to undergo recurrent training in line with Bristow’s operating procedures and client requirements and in full compliance with regulatory requirements. The successful water landing of the aircraft by the crew on 3 February, 2016, was accomplished safely and without any significant injuries or loss of life”, the airline said in a statement signed by Tunji Olugbodi.

According to him, the Captain, the first Nigerian female helicopter commander, performed admirably and remains an important member of the Bristow team.

“Safety underpins the company’s core values and the Company supports the NCAA’s audit of its operation of the Sikorsky S76 fleet and the investigation by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) into the incident on 3 February, 2016.

“Furthermore, but without prejudice to the ongoing investigations, Bristow welcomes an industry led external audit of its operations in Nigeria, with the expectation that such initiative will also extend to include the audit of other similar entities active in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, such that any