Two helicopters had to make emergency landings at Aberdeen Airport yesterday after warning lights came on in the cockpits.
The two Super Puma AS332L2s – one operated by Bond and the other by CHC Scotia – were diverted in separate incidents.
The alerts came just two months after the model – the same involved in a crash in 2009 which killed all 16 people on board – was grounded following an emergency ditching in the North Sea.
After the incident yesterday morning, a spokesman for Bond said the aircraft “landed safely”. “Emergency services were in attendance at Aberdeen Airport as a precautionary measure, following notification that the crew had observed a standby pump warning light while en route,” he said.
“Engineers will examine the aircraft fully before it returns to service.”
At around 3pm, a CHC-operated flight returning from the Elgin field had to land after an indicator light came on in the cockpit. There were 17 people on board. “The aircraft landed safely at Aberdeen heliport just after 3pm, and will be inspected by CHC engineers,” said a spokesman for the company.
Firefighters were scrambled to the airport on both occasions but were stood down when the helicopters landed safely.Last Friday, another Super Puma helicopter had to make an emergency landing at Aberdeen Airport after a warning light came on.
The incident involved an L2 model of the aircraft, operated by CHC.
A fortnight ago, two Bond-operated L2 Super Pumas also turned back to shore following concerns after passengers reported unusual noises.