Operator suspends Super Puma flights after helicopter ditches in North Sea

An air operator has suspended some of its flights after a helicopter ditched in the North Sea. Bond Aviation Group said it was grounding "until further notice" its flights involving EC225 Super Puma helicopters for "safety reasons".

A Super Puma carrying 14 men came down 25 miles off the coast of Aberdeen shortly after midday yesterday. All arrived safely back on land after air and sea rescues. The 12 passengers and two crew members were recovered from the sea and put in life rafts.  Nine men were flown to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, while the remaining five were taken to Aberdeen by lifeboat. One man was kept in at the hospital for observation. Consultant James Ferguson said the men were "in good spirits".

The helicopter, operated by Bond Offshore, had been on its way from Aberdeen to the Maersk Resilient rig and the Ensco 102 rig. Bond confirmed that the decision to make the "controlled descent" was taken by the pilot during the routine flight "in response to an oil pressure warning light". Ashley Roy, director of commercial services, said: "It's a difficult procedure and the pilot and co-pilot should be commended for their skill in executing this procedure. As a result of their skill, 12 passengers and the two crew themselves were unhurt and were able to return to their families."

A major rescue operation was launched after the alarm was raised, with Coastguard and RAF helicopters called to the scene along with two lifeboats.  The ditching was the latest in a series of incidents involving helicopters in the North Sea. Sixteen people died when a Super Puma plunged into the sea when its gearbox failed while carrying the men to Aberdeen on April 1 2009.  The 14 passengers and two crew were returning from BP's Miller platform when it went down 11 miles north-east of Peterhead.

In February 2009, 18 people survived after a helicopter ditched in the North Sea. The Bond Offshore Super Puma helicopter went down 125 miles east of Aberdeen at around 6.40pm on February 18. Eighteen people were rescued with only minor injuries. Speaking during a press conference in Aberdeen last night, Mr Roy said: "It is the third incident in three years; however, thousands of hours are flown offshore in helicopters every year. Bond itself conducts over 40,000 flying hours per annum." He added: "Safety is our primary and first priority. "I just want to reiterate that we are delighted to inform you that 12 passengers and the two crew were returned to Aberdeen today through the skill of our pilots."

Jim McAuslan, general secretary of pilots' union Balpa, praised the crew, saying it "looks like a terrific piece of airmanship from very skilled pilots". He said: "It is not for us yet to comment on the cause of this incident. That is for the AAIB (Air Accidents Investigation Branch) and we will await their findings." RMT union general secretary Bob Crow had called for the grounding of the fleet after the incident. Mr Crow said: "This is the right decision and the only surprise is that it took Bond so long to ake it. "With the series of incidents involving the Super Pumas in the North Sea we need thorough investigations and inspections with the union playing a core role to map a safe and secure route forward from this crisis."

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Incidents such as these remain very rare but do serve as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those offshore workers who are required to use helicopters on a regular basis. “Once all of those involved have been transferred ashore, the priority will be for the appropriate authorities to investigate the causes of this accident and ensure the future safety of flying operations in the North Sea."

Stephen Asbury, Managing Director with CRS commented that once again, attention to significant health and safety risks had provided a “happy outcome” for those involved.  He said “Too often the media uses health and safety to highlight some trivial rule, or trivial prohibition by some trivial official.  Here we have a perfect example of what health and safety is really about.  Proper training for pilots, proper training for the passengers and a well-prepared emergency response organisation.  We commend the work of Bond and the others involved”.