Offshore workers were stuck on a North Sea platform last night after a problem involving a Super Puma helicopter.
An EC225 was reported to have developed a fault on the North Alwyn platform, 143 miles north-east of Shetland.
The type of aircraft was only recently cleared to resume North Sea operations after two ditchings in May and October last year.
They had been banned by the Civil Aviation Authority from flying over water, but later cleared to return to service after manufacturer Eurocopter made a series of safety improvements.
Last night’s problem happened just after the CHC Super Puma had dropped off a number of oilmen and was preparing to return to Aberdeen heliport.
One worker on Total’s North Alwyn, who declined to be named, said: “The Super Puma had landed at 6.45pm, then refuelled in preparation to take around 15 or 16 people onshore.
“They had to remain on the platform overnight and were concerned, to say the least, as the Pumas have only just returned to service.”
A spokeswoman for CHC Helicopters said: “We can confirm there is an aircraft on the Alwyn platform overnight after an indicator light came on during a series of routine checks.
“It was not a warning light and this is not an emergency scenario.
“There is an engineer going out this morning as, for logistical reasons, it was not possible to travel there last night. If it had happened earlier in the day, there would have been no need for the aircraft to remain overnight.
“It appears to have been a temperature indicator which was lit, but the exact reason will remain unknown until the engineer makes a report – anything else at this stage is speculative.”
An offshore worker’s wife phoned the Press and Journal last night to say she was “very worried” after hearing about the latest development. She added: “It is terrible these workers are stuck out there and there will be many families wondering what is going on with the Super Pumas.”
The North Sea offshore workforce is still reeling from the aftermath of the recent Super Puma L2 crash off Shetland in which four people died.
The Air Accident Investigation branch, in a preliminary report last week into the loss, on August 23 near Sumburgh, stated it was not caused by mechanical failure.
Total were not available for comment last night.
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