Helicopter ditches in North Sea

[mizer]

Some beardy helicopter expert on reporting Scotland saying the since the tail rotor blades have been recovered intact it indicates that they were not rotating when it hit the water.

[RDU_64]

Early investigations seem to suggest that the gearbox failed.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7994305.stm

[manc_don]

25 super puma's have been grounded today after an investigation. I think its been done as a precaution more than anything though.

[CtS]

 

Is this what you learn on the Offshore Survival training course? Brace for impact, stay calm and place one hand on your seatbelt buckle, with your other hand whip out your mobile phone and start filming the aftermath of the ditching. 

 

This one was in Nigeria towards the end of last year, Aberdeen based company Bristow own the aircraft.

[octavion]

scumberger have a really bad habit of picking some real fannies , not all of them before anybody jumps on me but a old DD i know used to dress like crocket from miami vice the crew used to play the tune on the tannoy to annoy him

[Kowalski]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18020646

 

At what point does Bond's suitability as an operator of offshore helicopters come into question?

That's three incidents they've had in recent years.  Thankfully all is safe and well today, but either they're not doing their maintenance checks probably, or there are problems with the EC225.

[CtS]

either they're not doing their maintenance checks probably, or there are problems with the EC225.

 

I assume you mean 'properly', but I think that's an unfair accusation given the very limited facts we know about this latest incident.

[dave_min]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18020646

 

At what point does Bond's suitability as an operator of offshore helicopters come into question?

That's three incidents they've had in recent years.  Thankfully all is safe and well today, but either they're not doing their maintenance checks probably, or there are problems with the EC225.

 

True, but all 3 incidents appear to be completely unrelated faults.

 

Still worrying though.

 

Glad everyone was ok, fair play to the crew.

[Kowalski]

I assume you mean 'properly', but I think that's an unfair accusation given the very limited facts we know about this latest incident.

 

Correct on both points but it's still a bit worrying.  I'm on a platform at the moment, West of Shetland.  I got here through Bristows but the operator are in negotiations with Bond and from the chat on board today, nobody is particularly enthused by the thought of shifting to Bond.

 

And, apologies, the second most recent (fatal) incident was not using an EC225.

[CtS]

There's every chance this could be the result of a maintenance error, but the reasons given so far don't justify a ditching so I'll reserve judgement until more facts become available.  You only have to go back to the start of this thread to the last 225 incident to see a pilot being hailed a hero, only to find himself suspended and eventually sacked for his part in it.

 

I fully understand the scepticism towards bond, even if the 3 accidents are totally unrelated the end result is the same - another red machine in the water.

 

There is another issue here of course, and it's the proverbial can of worms.  The clear conflict of safety versus profit is not a problem of the helicopter operators making, as oil companies continue to drive costs down and force service companies to do the same.  They talk the health and safety talk to the media yet hold these companies over a barrel with penalty clauses for late departures.  Despite publicly claiming it doesn't exist, 'commercial pressure' is still a big problem.

[Kowalski]

Great final point there CtS.

 

Just to add to the mix, the two air ambulance helicopters that were grounded earlier in the week, are operated by Bond.

Could all be coincidence though.  But it sounds like the pilots did a great job today, whether it was needed or not.

 

Doesn't look like a lot of fun:

 

 

[octavion]

suddenly the peice of rattling shite I go out on in the middle east sounds better

[Superstar Tradesman]

I assume you mean 'properly', but I think that's an unfair accusation given the very limited facts we know about this latest incident.

 

I heard the mechanics spend far too much time on DT.

[Tyrant]

I heard he was on a DIY forum trying to learn how to grout because the useless banks wouldn't lend him money to get his kitchen done. 

[Superstar Tradesman]

Grouting's easy.

 

Bothering your arse to actually cook something in your swanky new kitchen is another thing.

 

Preventative maintainance on parafin budgies however, well that's the stuff of legends it would seem.

[Kowalski]

Bond MD steps down:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-18241259

 

[Kowalski]

Looks like there's been another ditching, up near Shetland:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-20033833

 

[glasgow sheep]

Looks like there's been another ditching, up near Shetland:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-20033833

 

 

This is happening a bit too frequently is it not

[dave_min]

This is happening a bit too frequently is it not

 

Once would be to frequent.

 

Anyway, hopefully it's another case of a controlled ditching to avoid something much worse happening.

 

All my usual moles appear to finish work at 4pm.

[dave_min]

BBC now saying all 19 onboard are 'safe'

[Kowalski]

This is happening a bit too frequently is it not

 

It is, and it looks like its another EC225.  Sounds like every is thankfully safe but it's not good that it has happened again.

[Tyrant]

Was driving oot past Ellon earlier this morning and saw a wide load getting a police escort towards the city. At first I naturally assumed MiniJC's diet had gone off the rails but it turned out it was the ditched chopper getting taken into Aberdeen. I think it's a write off.

 

And MiniJC is still doing well with his diet. 

[Kowalski]

Terrible news again, RIP to those that have been lost.

 

Wonder if this will be the straw that breaks the camel's back with regard to Eurocopter's in the North Sea, or perhaps even helicopters in general.

 

[scotfree]

Good to see you are ok Kow. Were you not out that way working?

[Kowalski]

Good to see you are ok Kow. Were you not out that way working?

 

Not for a while, I'm only an occasional visitor offshore.