Statoil is joining a list of investigation teams surrounding the tragic Super Puma helicopter crash that killed 13 people last month by launching its own in-house analysis focused on safety.
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Image from CHC. |
The Norwegian giant said the mandate for its own investigation of the helicopter accident on 29 April is ready, and will focus on identifying measures to improve the company’s work on helicopter safety on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS).
“The Accident Investigation Board Norway will work on finding the answer to how this accident could happen. To us it is crucial that everyone going offshore to work is confident that we do our utmost to ensure their safety,” Eldar Sætre, Statoil chief executive said. “We are therefore conducting an in-house investigation to identify measures for improving Statoil’s helicopter safety effort.”
Statoil’s in-house investigation will look at conditions that can be evaluated irrespective of the board’s investigation report being ready, the company said.
Statoil’s investigation team of nine members will go several safety-related aspects of the company’s helicopter operations on the NCS including:
Statoil’s emergency response efforts following the accident, including interaction with authorities and collaboration partners,
Statoil’s organization and activities related to helicopter services, including roles and responsibilities distributed between Statoil, helicopter operators and other players involved in operation and maintenance of helicopter operations for Statoil on the NCS,
How helicopter incidents are followed up by Statoil and the company’s suppliers.
The investigation report is due to be ready by 30 September 2016, with plans to publish the report soon after.
In addition, following the Accident Investigation Board’s investigation, Statoil will consider how to suitably follow it up. This consideration is not included in the Statoil investigation team’s mandate. Statoil will assist in the board’s investigation as requested, the company confirmed.
CHC, who filed for bankruptcy in the US following the incident, will conduct a separate investigation, where Statoil has the role of an observer. The police are also investigating the accident.
Earlier this week, initial findings of the crash were released by Norway’s Accident Investigation Board, following analysis of the helicopter’s black box. According to the report, the event happened in just 1-2 seconds and that there are no indications that flight crew had done anything to cause the accident. The Airbus H225, operated by CHC Helicopters, was traveling from Statoil's Gullfaks B platform to Bergen Airport Flesland on Friday 29 April when, at 2000ft, the main rotor head (MRH) and mast suddenly detached.
"The helicopter impacted on a small island and caught fire. The main wreckage thereafter ended in the sea where it came to rest at a depth of 1-9m. The accident was not survivable," the report said.
Following the incident, UK and Norwegian Civil Aviation Authorities implemented restrictions on the Airbus EC225LP and the AS332L2 Super Puma, due to their close similarities, preventing operators from using it for commercial flights.
Read more:
Initial crash findings released
Authorities restrict helicopter use following crash
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