http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18020646
There has been a Bond EC225 ditch off North East coast of Scotland. All onboard safe. Oil pressure warning light came on and the pilot elected to ditch. Given the disaster 2 years ago, it was probably a good idea.
And as somebody who has to work offshore, I am glad my boat is in harbour for a walk-on arrival, but perhaps an EC225 departure! Eeek!
Kind Regards,
Scotty
By: Newforest - 12th May 2012 at 15:28
Helicopter salvaged, now on dry land!
By: Loose-Head - 11th May 2012 at 12:28
Like Scotty, I’ve worked in the Oil industry for the best part of 23 years. The majority of it in the first 15 years offshore UK.
Currently looking after a land rig in the Ukraine, but from what I see in the media, and from what I’ve heard from guys back up in Aberdeen, they had ( for the North Sea anyway) fairly good, calm conditions for the ditching with a best case, textbook exit from the aircraft straight to the liferafts. J.Boyle is right, these beasts are relatively narrow and fairly top heavy ( engines, gearboxes etc) and a decent swell usually means that despite the flotation bags on either side they can be prone to capsize .
You never try to spend too much time thinking about it, but I will admit to on occasion looking out the window at a stormy sea and thinking that if something happened, I don’t fancy my chances too much.
Helicopter crashes seem to often end up in two scenarios…..all well, or all perished. So glad that it was the former this time
By: Garyw - 10th May 2012 at 23:51
It seems that this was a precautionary ditching after a warning of MRGB (main Rotor GearBox) OIL PRESSURE LOW. It seems the pilots decided to ditch after a similar issues with another puma caused a crash. The helicopter stayed afloat -> http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18020646
By: Arabella-Cox - 10th May 2012 at 22:36
After the horrible situation in Indonesia, it is good to know that there has not been a further tragedy here.
By: J Boyle - 10th May 2012 at 22:04
Glad everyone is safe.
I hope they recover the helicopter…usually the emergency floatation bags only work well enough for everyone to get out before it capsizes…due to narrow width, I guess.
Please let us know how the recovery turns out.
By: WL747 - 10th May 2012 at 19:04
According to the local teatime news, the chopper is still afloat as we speak. Just need a vessel with a crane to pick it up. As I join such a vessel in Aberdeen harbour tomorrow, I wonder if that is our first job, or will I get an extra day at home while they go out to do it tonight!
Of course, it also depends on what ship they use!
Kind Regards,
Scotty
By: AlanR - 10th May 2012 at 17:12
Did the helicopter stay afloat ?
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May 10, 2012 at 4:38 pm