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24/11/2011
Helicopter Fault 'Not Recognised Before Crash'
A fault with the L2 Super Puma Helicopter that crashed killing 16 men in 2009 was not recognised during an inspection just days before the tragedy.
In a report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), published on Thursday, it was revealed that a metallic particle had been discovered during maintenance just 36 hours prior to the accident in the North Sea.
The report said the chip was "the only indication of the impending failure" and noted that the "catastrophic failure" of the main rotor gearbox was a result of a "fatigue fracture" in one of the gears.
The accident occurred on March 25 2009. The helicopter had been operating a scheduled passenger flight from BP's Miller Platform in the North Sea to Aberdeen and whilst cruising at 2,000 feet, some 50 minutes into the flight, there was a failure of the helicopter's Main Rotor Gearbox.
The helicopter fell from cruise flight before the main rotor and part of the epicyclic module separated from the fuselage.
"The helicopter then struck the surface of the sea with a high vertical speed," the report said.
Eight of the victims came from the north east of Scotland, seven from Liverpool, Norfolk and Worcestershire, and one from Latvia.
Speaking on Wednesday evening, Bond Offshore Helicopters' managing director Bill Munro said: “We remember 2009 first and foremost for the fatal accident involving one of our aircraft.
“Those who lost their lives and their families and friends remain very much in our thoughts.”
(DW)
In a report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), published on Thursday, it was revealed that a metallic particle had been discovered during maintenance just 36 hours prior to the accident in the North Sea.
The report said the chip was "the only indication of the impending failure" and noted that the "catastrophic failure" of the main rotor gearbox was a result of a "fatigue fracture" in one of the gears.
The accident occurred on March 25 2009. The helicopter had been operating a scheduled passenger flight from BP's Miller Platform in the North Sea to Aberdeen and whilst cruising at 2,000 feet, some 50 minutes into the flight, there was a failure of the helicopter's Main Rotor Gearbox.
The helicopter fell from cruise flight before the main rotor and part of the epicyclic module separated from the fuselage.
"The helicopter then struck the surface of the sea with a high vertical speed," the report said.
Eight of the victims came from the north east of Scotland, seven from Liverpool, Norfolk and Worcestershire, and one from Latvia.
Speaking on Wednesday evening, Bond Offshore Helicopters' managing director Bill Munro said: “We remember 2009 first and foremost for the fatal accident involving one of our aircraft.
“Those who lost their lives and their families and friends remain very much in our thoughts.”
(DW)
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Humberside Police have named the two men who died in a helicopter crash on Tuesday. Captain Brian Bridgman, 50, from Canterbury in Kent was piloting the aircraft, and John Kent, 50, from Romford in London was the passenger.
Humberside Police Name Helicopter Crash Victims
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Two Confirmed Dead In East Yorkshire Helicopter Crash
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Two Confirmed Dead In East Yorkshire Helicopter Crash
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63-Year-Old Dies In Sailing Accident
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19 January 2009
RAF Hercules Airlifts Premature Newborn Twins
Twins born prematurely have been airlifted by an RAF Hercules aircraft from the Outer Hebrides to a hospital on the Scottish mainland, in an emergency rescue operation. The mother of the babies went into labour at 27 weeks and gave birth in hospital in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis on Sunday.
RAF Hercules Airlifts Premature Newborn Twins
Twins born prematurely have been airlifted by an RAF Hercules aircraft from the Outer Hebrides to a hospital on the Scottish mainland, in an emergency rescue operation. The mother of the babies went into labour at 27 weeks and gave birth in hospital in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis on Sunday.
27 April 2009
Super Puma's Return To BP Operations
Oil firm BP has resumed its use of Super Puma helicopters today, following the North Sea crash in which 16 people died. Earlier this month, the aircraft were grounded by the European Aviation Safety Agency to allow safety inspections after the AS3332L2 model crashed on April 1.
Super Puma's Return To BP Operations
Oil firm BP has resumed its use of Super Puma helicopters today, following the North Sea crash in which 16 people died. Earlier this month, the aircraft were grounded by the European Aviation Safety Agency to allow safety inspections after the AS3332L2 model crashed on April 1.
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