A host of UK flights by S-92 aircraft were ‘paused’ on Thursday at the request of North Sea operators, in the wake of a fatal helicopter crash in Norway on Wednesday evening.
Flights were resumed later on Thursday afternoon.
It follows news that a Bristow-operated Sikorsky S-92 helicopter ditched into the sea off the coast of Norway during a training exercise for oil firm Equinor, with one crew member fatally injured.
All six crew aboard were recovered from the crash and taken to hospital in Bergen on Wednesday evening, though one fatality has since been confirmed. The other five passengers have varying levels of injuries, including one member who is seriously injured.
Equinor suspended all its helicopter flights in Norway and the UK in the wake of the incident. Norwegian operator Aker BP also suspended flights involving the S-92 “until further notice”.
The move appears to have been mirrored by some other North Sea operators, though it’s understood this decision remains discretionary and is not the result of any instruction from UK authorities.
Heli operator CHC said it had instigated a “pause” in some S-92 operations in the UK on Thursday morning.
A subsequent statement from the operator added: “All operations involving S-92 aircraft in the UK resumed this afternoon (Thursday, February 29) after the company instigated a pause in flights at the request of a small number of customers.
“The safety of passengers and crew will always be the priority, and we will continue to work with customers and colleagues as appropriate to ensure that remains the case.”
It did not disclose which clients were affected.
It’s understood Bristow’s UK flights continued to operate as usual, according to its schedule data.
However the company said arrangements with customers are confidential, and that it would work closely with all customers in respect of individual flight details and requirements.
The company reportedly operates 11 S-92 aircraft for energy customers out of Aberdeen.
The UK North Sea fleet stood at 32 such airframes in 2022, according to data published by Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), though new aircraft were brought in last year alongside some retirals.
© OEUKAnother operator, Offshore Helicopter Services (OHS), said it had not made any changes to schedules.
A spokesperson for OHS UK said: “Safety is of paramount importance. We are currently fully operational and are monitoring the situation closely.”
Operator NHV does not fly the S-92 airframe and flights from its bases using the H175, AW169 and AW139 aircraft appear largely as planned, according to timetable data.
Industry reacts to tragic news
Meanwhile UK unions and sector representatives expressed their condolences.
Offshore union RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that it was sad news and that the union’s thoughts were with the families of all those affected by this tragic event.
“We will not speculate about the causes of this tragedy and is seeking information from the Norwegian authorities as this aircraft model is a critical part of the UK fleet taking workers to sites across the UK sector.
“We are also liaising with our Norwegian colleagues in our sister trade Union Industri Energi,” he said.
Offshore Energy (OEUK) HSE director Mark Wilson also said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with all who were on this flight, their families and those involved in rescue and response following the helicopter ditching in Norway.
“At present there are no confirmed facts about the cause of this accident. Our priority now is to work in close coordination with Step Change in Safety, helicopter operators, oil and gas operators and contractors, offshore trade unions, the pilots’ union BALPA, the regulators; HSE and the Civil Aviation Authority.
“When facts are established we will work in partnership with these bodies to ensure any learning from this tragic incident is shared across the industry and appropriate steps are taken in due course.”
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