A pioneer in offshore survival, Dr Joe Cross OBE, died in Aberdeenshire on 27 July 2014. Dr Cross started as a naval safety equipment fitter in 1953 before rising to be a commissioned Royal Navy Officer. However it was in 1975 that he became Managing Director of the Robert Gordon’s Institute of Technology (RGIT) Survival Centre in Aberdeen. RGIT (the forerunner […]
Obituary: Offshore Survival Pioneer Dr Joe Cross OBE Read Post »
EASA Launch Helicopter Gearbox Lubrication Rule Making The first meeting was held last week of a new European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Rule Making Team (RMT.0608) on helicopter gearbox lubrication. The Terms of Reference (ToR) and Group Composition (GC) are here. This activity follows European/US/Canadian dialogue after the loss of Cougar Sikorsky S-92A C-GZCH Flight 491 off Newfoundland,
EASA Launch Helicopter Gearbox Lubrication Rule Making Read Post »
UPDATE: This article has been reviewed and updated since the publication of OGP’s V1.1 reports adding details that our first edition highlighted were missing. Follow us on LinkedIn for our latest updates. The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (OGP) has published their annual safety performance review. Earlier 2012 data is here. The OGP members
OGP Safety Performance Indicators 2013 Read Post »
A minor landing gear incident on a CHC Sikorsky S-92A at Aberdeen Airport in Scotland has attracted press interest.
S-92A Nose Landing Gear Incident – Aberdeen 29 July 2014 Read Post »
Technology Friend or Foe – Automation in Offshore Helicopter Operations In London 3-4 July 2014 the Royal Aeronautical Society held a landmark conference on the introduction of automation to offshore helicopters titled: Technology: Friend or Foe? This RAeS conference was triggered by: a CFIT accident on approach to Sumburgh airport in August 2013 (AS332L2 G-WNSB), the issue, a few
Technology Friend or Foe – Automation in Offshore Helicopter Operations Read Post »
Hong Kong Harbour AW139 Ditching – HKCAD Report Issued The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD) have issued their report into the ditching of AgustaWestland AW139, B-MHJ, operated by Macau based East Asia Airlines Limited (trading as SkyShuttle), in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour on 3 July 2010. From the synopsis: The helicopter took off from Sheung
Hong Kong Harbour AW139 Ditching – HKCAD Report Issued Read Post »
AW189 Progress Bristow expect to commence revenue flying in Norwich with the AgustaWestland AW189 during July 2014 according to Bristow VP Operations and Managing Director of Bristow Helicopters Limited, Mike Imlach, quoted by Aviation Week & Space Technology. UPDATE: Later on the 17 July 2014, Bristow issued the following press statement: Bristow announced today that it has
AW139 Global Fleet Passes 1 Million Hour Milestone AgustaWestland has announced that its popular medium helicopter, the AW139, has now achieved 1 million hours of service experience since it entered service in 2003. The AW139 fleet leader has now flown more than 9,300 hours, so another milestone is likely to be passed this autumn. AW reports that 650
AW139 Global Fleet Passes 1 Million Hour Milestone Read Post »
The published at 00.01 am on Tuesday 8 July 2014. In its conclusions the committee say: Helicopter transfer across the North Sea has inherent risks but remains the most practical mode of transport for the offshore oil and gas industry. Five accidents since 2009 have led to a loss of confidence from the offshore work
House of Commons Transport Committee Offshore Helicopter Safety Report Read Post »
Increasing SAR Use by the Oil & Gas Industry The oil and gas industry is increasingly contracting commercial Search & Rescue (SAR) helicopters to support offshore exploration work and support offshore safety cases. For example, commercial operator Bristow has provided a SAR service in the UK since 1971 (for both government and oil and gas customers) that
Increasing SAR Use by the Oil & Gas Industry Read Post »
A patient ” jumped out of an emergency exit/window at a height of 2,000 feet”.
Offshore Passenger Fatality 2 July 2014: CHC Medevac Norway Read Post »
OPITO Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS) Initial Deployment Training Standard OPITO has issued a standard for Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS) Initial Deployment Training, to support the initial introduction of Category A Emergency Breathing System (EBS) following the a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Review, which resulted in the CAP1145 report. To successfully complete this 1.5 hour ‘dry’ training,
Trade body Oil & Gas UK have released two new reports. The first is the annual Oil & Gas UK Health and Safety Report 2014 which covers: A detailed summary of the UK offshore oil and gas industry’s safety performance An overview of the safety-related projects being carried out across the industry An explanation of how the
Oil & Gas UK News: Health & Safety and Supply Chain CoP Read Post »
Size Isn’t Everything The day after the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) CAP1145 report on North Sea helicopter safety was published, the Aberdeen Press & Journal focused on one controversial action with the front page headline ‘If you are too fat you won’t fly’! But when it comes to escaping from a submerged helicopter through the push
Size Isn’t Everything Read Post »
In a session entitled “Resilience, helicopters and the challenge of transferring the workforce offshore” at Oil & Gas UK‘s first Annual Conference, attendees heard that the industry is now better prepared for major disruption. Past disruptions have included: The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull (aka ‘E15’) volcanic eruption in Iceland and the resulting volcanic ash fall out Two ditchings in 2012 due
Offshore Industry Improving Aviation Resilience Read Post »
EHOC to Become HeliOffshore It has been announced that the trade body, the European Helicopter Operators’ Committee (EHOC), is to become HeliOffshore, with an international membership: http://www.energyvoice.com/2014/06/helicopter-operators-fund-new-international-trade-body-safety/ One advantage of this change is an improvement in safety communication between operators globally. This was a point that emerged from the Joint Operators Review currently underway. Some
EHOC to Become HeliOffshore Read Post »
Gulf of Mexico Fatal Helicopter Accident (11 Jun 14) A search has been called off for two people missing after a helicopter accident in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) on 11 June 2014. It is reported that divers have located two bodies. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) preliminary report: N207MY BELL 206 ROTORCRAFT CRASHED
Gulf of Mexico Fatal Helicopter Accident (11 Jun 14) Read Post »
Rapid Progress with a Category A EBS One of the most urgent initiatives currently underway in UK offshore helicopter safety is the introduction of Category A Emergency Breathing Systems (EBS). Progress was discussed at Oil & Gas UK’s annual aviation seminar in Aberdeen on 4 June 2014. Oil & Gas UK is the organisation that represents the entire UK offshore industry.
Rapid Progress with a Category A EBS Read Post »
AAIB Report on the Ditchings of EC225 G-REDW 10 May 2012 & G-CHCN 22 Oct 2012 The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) have published their combined report into the two Eurocopter EC225 helicopter ditchings in the North Sea in 2012: ….the crews of G-REDW and G-CHCN experienced a loss of main rotor gearbox oil
AAIB Report on the Ditchings of EC225 G-REDW 10 May 2012 & G-CHCN 22 Oct 2012 Read Post »
Offshore Helicopter Confidence Building – Oil & Gas UK’s 2014 Aviation Seminar The critical importance of rebuilding confidence in helicopter transport was the theme for Oil & Gas UK’s annual aviation seminar in Aberdeen on 4 June 2014. Oil & Gas UK is the organisation that represents the entire UK offshore industry and Aerossurance is a member of Oil
Offshore Helicopter Confidence Building – Oil & Gas UK’s 2014 Aviation Seminar Read Post »
The Rise of the ‘Super Mediums’: EC175 & AW189 2014 sees the emergence of a new category of 7-8t ‘super-medium’ helicopters, capable of carrying 16 passenger in offshore configuration, lead by the AgustaWestland AW189 and Airbus Helicopters EC175. These fill the gap between the 19 passenger, 11-12t ‘heavies’ (the Sikorsky S-92A and Airbus EC225) and the ‘mediums’
The Rise of the ‘Super Mediums’: EC175 & AW189 Read Post »
The Q1 2014 Oil & Gas UK Business Sentiment Index reveals that while the industry’s optimism has continued to decline, it remains positive, at six points above zero on the -50 to +50 index. Oil & Gas UK say that: “The low levels of drilling, and cost pressures caused by; increasing operating costs, the tight
Mood of UK Oil and Gas Industry Remains “Prudent” Read Post »
There are two key helicopter safety events in the next month or so, both of which Aerossurance will be attending. On 4 June 2014, Oil & Gas UK will be holding its annual Aviation Seminar on 4 June 2014 at the Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre. Topics to be discussed are: Are we rebuilding UK
Forthcoming Helicopter Safety Events Read Post »
On 8 May 2014 an Airbus Helicopters AS365N Dauphin helicopter was lost en route from Takoradi in Ghana to the GSF Jack Ryan drill ship. Sadly only 3 of the 8 occupants were rescued.
Offshore Helicopter Accident Ghana 8 May 2014 & The Importance of Emergency Response Read Post »
