Unions want offshore flight dangers sorted
Union leaders have called for all Super Puma helicopters to be grounded following the death of four people in a 23 August crash off Shetland. Operator CHC Helicopter suspended operations of other Super Puma AS332L2 helicopters until the cause of the crash is known. The same model was involved in a North Sea crash in April 2009, off the coast of Peterhead, which killed all 14 passengers and two crew on board (Risks 416). Its gearbox failed while carrying the workers to Aberdeen. The latest crash is the fifth major North Sea incident involving a Super Puma since 2009. The three others involved a different model, the E225, ditching with no loss of life. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: 'Workforce confidence in the Super Puma type aircraft was severely dented after the two ditching events of last year and the fatal accident in 2009. RMT and Unite have worked with all sectors of the industry to address the concerns of our members and rebuild that confidence.' He said the crash 'had undone all of that work and we anticipate an outpouring of anger.' Pat Rafferty, Scottish secretary of Unite, said: 'No-one should ever go to work and not come back safely to their family and friends,' adding: 'This is the fifth major incident in the last four years involving Super Puma helicopters in the UK offshore industry and the second resulting in fatalities. It's unacceptable and it can't go on.' The Helicopter Safety Steering Group (HSSG) also called for all Super Pumas to be grounded. HSSG said while there were 'significant technical differences' between the variants, a cautious approach was needed. It said the grounding should include four models: the AS332L, L1, L2 and EC225. The four oil workers died who died in the latest tragedy were Duncan Munro, 46, Sarah Darnley, 45, Gary McCrossan, 59, and George Allison, 57. The helicopter crashed near Sumburgh Airport in Shetland with 18 people on board, including two crew. It is believed a catastrophic loss of power led the Super Puma to plunge into the sea, forcing those on board to scramble out of side windows after the helicopter rolled over in the water. Oil?company Total, which runs the Borgsten Dolphin platform from which the four were returning home, said all the dead had been employed by contractors supporting the oil production process.
Stay Updated
Want to hear about our latest news and blogs?
Sign up now to get it straight to your inbox