HEALTH & SAFETY REPORT 2014
page 30
It should be noted that for much of 2013 the EC225 fleet was suspended due to investigations following the ditchings
in 2012, and thus the EC225 flew relatively few hours. During this time, some of the older AS332 L Super Pumas were
brought back into North Sea operations to assist with providing cover.
Since 2001, only heavy and medium twin-engine helicopters have been used on the UKCS. This is because
two-pilot, light helicopter operations generally don’t have sufficient range and payload to meet contemporary
offshore commercial expectations.
It is also important to make the distinction between heavy and medium twin helicopter operations. As a rule it can
be said that heavy twins (such as AS332, EC225 and S92) operate mainly out of Aberdeen or Scatsta (Shetland) and
generally fly sectors (flight stages) with long flight times. Medium twins (such as AS365, EC155, S76 and AW139)
fly mainly out of regional heliports (such as Blackpool, Humberside and Norwich) and these aircraft record a high
number of sectors with relatively short flight times.
5.3 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
occurrence reports submitted every month, providing constant oversight of safety-related events. It is the MORs
classed as ‘reportable accidents’ that are highlighted in this report
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.
From 1994 to 2013, 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 1994. These includemajor 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.
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A complete listing of the 73 reportable accidents involving helicopters serving the UK offshore oil and gas sector from
1976 to 2013 is provided in an appendix on the Oil & Gas UK website at
