Union leaders last night said they would back workers who refuse to fly on Super Pumas again.
The move came after more than 25,000 people called for the models of aircraft to be banned from flying to oil installations in the North Sea.
And they made a plea for the helicopters to be replaced with a fleet of Sikorsky S-92s.
RMT regional organiser Jake Molloy said it was “completely feasible” that Super Pumas may never return to normal service in the industry after this latest incident.
He said: “It has taken a lot of work for Eurocopter to rebuild confidence in the brand over the last 12 months and Friday’s incident has completely shattered that. It is not surprising workers feel like they would never want to travel on one again.
“And if, after consultation, that feeling still stays we will support that 100%.
“In 1986 after the Chinook helicopter disaster the lack of confidence in the helicopter was such that it was never used in the North Sea again.
“That could quite easily happen again here. Not only is it completely feasible that this may happen but we will make it happen if that is what the workers want.”
Mr Molloy said people had to be clear about what they wanted and warned that completely grounding the aircraft could lead to loss of work as problems getting to and from the rigs hit.
Secretary for union Unite, Pat Rafferty, said helicopter operators must use every means at their disposal to show the fleet is safe before the aircraft starts to operate again.
He said: “Our thoughts are with the deceased and their families. No one should ever go to work and not come back safely to their family and friends. This is an absolute tragedy.
“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.”
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