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HEALTH & SAFETY REPORT
2015
page 30
It is also important to make the distinction between heavy and medium twin-engine helicopter operations. As a
rule, heavy twins (such as AW189, AS332, EC225 and S92) operate mainly out of Aberdeen or Scatsta and generally
fly sectors with long flight times. Medium twins (such as AS365, EC155, S76 and AW139) fly mainly out of the
regional heliports (that is Blackpool, Humberside, North Denes and Norwich) and these aircraft record a high
number of sectors with relatively short flight times.
6.3 Offshore Helicopter Reportable Accidents on the UK Continental Shelf
All significant flight safety occurrences are reported to the CAA using the MOR scheme. There are a number of
reports submitted every month, providing constant oversight of safety-related occurrences. It is the MORs classed
as reportable accidents that are highlighted in this report.
From 1995 to 2014, four fatal accidents have claimed the lives of 38 offshore workers and flight crew. Two accidents
were caused by catastrophic component failure and the other two attributed to human factors.
Eighteen reportable non-fatal accidents have also occurred since 1995. These include major component failures,
pilot error, lightning strikes, major airframe damage, and main and tail rotor damage. In most cases, only the
helicopter was damaged but, infrequently, these accidents have resulted in injury to personnel.