This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/29/super-puma-helicopters-cleared-fly-shetland

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
All Super Pumas helicopters cleared to fly in wake of fatal Shetland crash All Super Pumas helicopters cleared to fly in wake of fatal Shetland crash
(21 days later)
A safety body has cleared all Super Puma helicopters to return to service in the North Sea, nearly a week after a fatal crash off Shetland left four oil workers dead.A safety body has cleared all Super Puma helicopters to return to service in the North Sea, nearly a week after a fatal crash off Shetland left four oil workers dead.
The decision by the Helicopter Safety Steering Group, a multi-agency body involving oil firms, aircraft operators, unions and safety agencies, came as accident investigators revealed details about the last moments of the Super Puma that crashed on Friday.The decision by the Helicopter Safety Steering Group, a multi-agency body involving oil firms, aircraft operators, unions and safety agencies, came as accident investigators revealed details about the last moments of the Super Puma that crashed on Friday.
An interim report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the helicopter went into a rapid descent after it lost power three miles off Sumburgh airport on Friday evening, but flew on for a mile before crashing a short distance from Shetland's rocky coastline in heavy mist.An interim report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the helicopter went into a rapid descent after it lost power three miles off Sumburgh airport on Friday evening, but flew on for a mile before crashing a short distance from Shetland's rocky coastline in heavy mist.
It hit the water upright and intact only two miles from Sumburgh's runway, but then very quickly capsized and – as the passengers and crew struggled to get free – began to be pulled towards the rocks on Garths Ness by the tide and heavy seas.It hit the water upright and intact only two miles from Sumburgh's runway, but then very quickly capsized and – as the passengers and crew struggled to get free – began to be pulled towards the rocks on Garths Ness by the tide and heavy seas.
Four passengers, including the first woman to die in a North Sea oil industry accident, were killed and the pilot was left with serious back injuries. In all, 14 people survived, largely because the helicopter crashed so close to land, allowing rescuers to reach the site far faster.Four passengers, including the first woman to die in a North Sea oil industry accident, were killed and the pilot was left with serious back injuries. In all, 14 people survived, largely because the helicopter crashed so close to land, allowing rescuers to reach the site far faster.
On Thursday afternoon, the investigation into the precise cause of the crash took a significant step forward after the AAIB said it had finally recovered the combined voice and flight data recorder, which would be sent to its base at Farnborough, Hampshire, for analysis.On Thursday afternoon, the investigation into the precise cause of the crash took a significant step forward after the AAIB said it had finally recovered the combined voice and flight data recorder, which would be sent to its base at Farnborough, Hampshire, for analysis.
The data recorder is thought to have been around 16 metres down, contained in the Super Puma's tail section, which was broken off the aircraft after it was dashed onto rocks on Shetland's coast.The data recorder is thought to have been around 16 metres down, contained in the Super Puma's tail section, which was broken off the aircraft after it was dashed onto rocks on Shetland's coast.
Although investigators soon detected the black box's beacon, it has taken five days to retrieve, and is likely to provide crucial technical data about the cause of the crash.Although investigators soon detected the black box's beacon, it has taken five days to retrieve, and is likely to provide crucial technical data about the cause of the crash.
The helicopter safety group said that the two types of Super Puma not involved in Friday's crash, the L1 and the EC225, would immediately resume all their scheduled flying operations, while the L2 variant involved in the crash would only start limited operations offshore.The helicopter safety group said that the two types of Super Puma not involved in Friday's crash, the L1 and the EC225, would immediately resume all their scheduled flying operations, while the L2 variant involved in the crash would only start limited operations offshore.
Oil & Gas UK, the main industry body, said the safety group's decision to clear the Super Pumas was based on confidence in the aircraft from all the main UK, European and Norwegian safety agencies.Oil & Gas UK, the main industry body, said the safety group's decision to clear the Super Pumas was based on confidence in the aircraft from all the main UK, European and Norwegian safety agencies.
Les Linklater, the safety group's team leader, said the L2 would not carry oil workers at first because of widespread anxieties in the wake of the crash, and to allow the oil industry and helicopter operators time to rebuild confidence about its safety amongst the 55,000 people working offshore.Les Linklater, the safety group's team leader, said the L2 would not carry oil workers at first because of widespread anxieties in the wake of the crash, and to allow the oil industry and helicopter operators time to rebuild confidence about its safety amongst the 55,000 people working offshore.
"In recognition of the understandable sensitivities around the immediate return to service of the L2 fleet, this type will be initially reintroduced for non-passenger revenue operations only. This means non-passenger-carrying maintenance, positioning and training flights only," Linklater said."In recognition of the understandable sensitivities around the immediate return to service of the L2 fleet, this type will be initially reintroduced for non-passenger revenue operations only. This means non-passenger-carrying maintenance, positioning and training flights only," Linklater said.
Malcolm Webb, the chief executive of Oil & Gas UK, said any worried oil workers would be treated with compassion: "I wish to make it absolutely clear that, as a result of these arrangements, no one unwilling to fly will be forced to do so."Malcolm Webb, the chief executive of Oil & Gas UK, said any worried oil workers would be treated with compassion: "I wish to make it absolutely clear that, as a result of these arrangements, no one unwilling to fly will be forced to do so."
Oil & Gas UK would also implement a recommendation from the Helicopter Safety Steering Group for an independent review of helicopter transportation in collaboration with the trade unions, he said, after it identified concerns about comfort, cabin layout and lack of confidence over safety.Oil & Gas UK would also implement a recommendation from the Helicopter Safety Steering Group for an independent review of helicopter transportation in collaboration with the trade unions, he said, after it identified concerns about comfort, cabin layout and lack of confidence over safety.
There was no evidence of a fleet-wide technical or mechanical fault with the L2 type or any other Super Puma, Linklater said, a belief underpinned by the AAIB's interim report stating the aircraft was intact when it hit the sea.There was no evidence of a fleet-wide technical or mechanical fault with the L2 type or any other Super Puma, Linklater said, a belief underpinned by the AAIB's interim report stating the aircraft was intact when it hit the sea.
The L2s were also flying without problems elsewhere in the world and the pilots' union Balpa said its members had full confidence in the aircraft.The L2s were also flying without problems elsewhere in the world and the pilots' union Balpa said its members had full confidence in the aircraft.
Although the AAIB has not disclosed any specific cause for Friday's incident, the safety group's decision to reintroduce the helicopters indicates they believe the Shetland crash was a one-off accident.Although the AAIB has not disclosed any specific cause for Friday's incident, the safety group's decision to reintroduce the helicopters indicates they believe the Shetland crash was a one-off accident.
The Norwegian civil aviation authority had earlier rejected appeals from its unions to ground all its Super Pumas – which operate in the North Sea in very similar weather conditions to the UK fleet – insisting that Friday's crash was an isolated incident.The Norwegian civil aviation authority had earlier rejected appeals from its unions to ground all its Super Pumas – which operate in the North Sea in very similar weather conditions to the UK fleet – insisting that Friday's crash was an isolated incident.
Geir Hamre, chairman of the Norwegian helicopter safety committee, told the Guardian: "We can't connect this to any similar accident previously, and that is the reason why we say it's an isolated case and have decided not to stop them flying."Geir Hamre, chairman of the Norwegian helicopter safety committee, told the Guardian: "We can't connect this to any similar accident previously, and that is the reason why we say it's an isolated case and have decided not to stop them flying."
The clean bill of health for Super Pumas suggests that pleas earlier on Thursday for a full-scale public inquiry into helicopter safety from Frank Doran, the Labour MP for Aberdeen North, are likely to be rejected by the transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin.The clean bill of health for Super Pumas suggests that pleas earlier on Thursday for a full-scale public inquiry into helicopter safety from Frank Doran, the Labour MP for Aberdeen North, are likely to be rejected by the transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin.
In a letter to McLoughlin, Doran said the five accidents involving different Super Pumas in the last four years, including a crash that killed 16 in 2009, had badly damaged confidence amongst the 57,000 people working in the North Sea. "The number of incidents over the last four years has caused huge uncertainty amongst the workforce," Doran said.In a letter to McLoughlin, Doran said the five accidents involving different Super Pumas in the last four years, including a crash that killed 16 in 2009, had badly damaged confidence amongst the 57,000 people working in the North Sea. "The number of incidents over the last four years has caused huge uncertainty amongst the workforce," Doran said.
The AAIB's initial account was published as further sections of the Super Puma L2 – its gearbox and rotor blades and part of its fuselage – were found late on Wednesday by salvage crews and taken by the recovery vessel Bibby Polaris to Lerwick harbour just before dawn on Thursday.The AAIB's initial account was published as further sections of the Super Puma L2 – its gearbox and rotor blades and part of its fuselage – were found late on Wednesday by salvage crews and taken by the recovery vessel Bibby Polaris to Lerwick harbour just before dawn on Thursday.
Both engines and part of the cockpit have also been located offshore. Along with the flight recorder, all the parts are being sent to the AAIB's headquarters at Farnborough for detailed examination.Both engines and part of the cockpit have also been located offshore. Along with the flight recorder, all the parts are being sent to the AAIB's headquarters at Farnborough for detailed examination.
The AAIB said: "Preliminary information indicates that the approach proceeded normally until approximately three miles from the runway when there was a reduction in airspeed accompanied by an increased rate of descent. The helicopter struck the sea approximately two miles west of the Runway 09 threshold.The AAIB said: "Preliminary information indicates that the approach proceeded normally until approximately three miles from the runway when there was a reduction in airspeed accompanied by an increased rate of descent. The helicopter struck the sea approximately two miles west of the Runway 09 threshold.
"The evidence currently available suggests that the helicopter was intact and upright when it entered the water. It then rapidly inverted and drifted northwards towards Garths Ness. The helicopter was largely broken up by repeated contact with the rocky shoreline.""The evidence currently available suggests that the helicopter was intact and upright when it entered the water. It then rapidly inverted and drifted northwards towards Garths Ness. The helicopter was largely broken up by repeated contact with the rocky shoreline."
With the three types of Super Puma accounting for about 70% of all North Sea helicopter traffic, union leaders said that the suspension of flights had caused major disruption for oil workers both offshore and onshore, and for oil rig operators.With the three types of Super Puma accounting for about 70% of all North Sea helicopter traffic, union leaders said that the suspension of flights had caused major disruption for oil workers both offshore and onshore, and for oil rig operators.
Hundreds have been unable to return home while others are unable to start their shifts. CHC Helicopter and BP have begun using many more Sikorsky helicopters, while Total has hired four surface ships to ferry workers to and from its installations.Hundreds have been unable to return home while others are unable to start their shifts. CHC Helicopter and BP have begun using many more Sikorsky helicopters, while Total has hired four surface ships to ferry workers to and from its installations.
Linklater said those delays were adding to the risks of further accidents, because those workers stranded offshore beyond their normal 21-day shifts were getting more tired and stressed. There are 250 workers currently offshore who have been on duty beyond that three-week limit.Linklater said those delays were adding to the risks of further accidents, because those workers stranded offshore beyond their normal 21-day shifts were getting more tired and stressed. There are 250 workers currently offshore who have been on duty beyond that three-week limit.
"We have a duty of care to all offshore workers both in terms of their safety and their wellbeing; we must consider the cumulative risk of the 'time out'," Linklater said. "We must avoid a further tragedy through the introduction of human-factor-based risk such as fatigue, stress and other wellbeing concerns that increase the likelihood of a high-consequence/low-frequency event.""We have a duty of care to all offshore workers both in terms of their safety and their wellbeing; we must consider the cumulative risk of the 'time out'," Linklater said. "We must avoid a further tragedy through the introduction of human-factor-based risk such as fatigue, stress and other wellbeing concerns that increase the likelihood of a high-consequence/low-frequency event."
The dead have been named as Duncan Munro, 46, from County Durham; George Allison, 57, from Hampshire; Gary McCrossan, 59, from Inverness; and Sarah Darnley, 45, from Elgin.The dead have been named as Duncan Munro, 46, from County Durham; George Allison, 57, from Hampshire; Gary McCrossan, 59, from Inverness; and Sarah Darnley, 45, from Elgin.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.