The Super Puma helicopter crash which killed 11 offshore staff and two helicopter pilots in Norway was sudden, catastrophic and developed in just seconds, according to a preliminary report by Norway's Accident Investigation Board, released today.
The report, which comes following analysis of the helicopter's "black box," says 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, according to the report.
"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," says the report.
The CVFDR (combined cockpit voice and flight data recorder) was salvaged from the tail section of the helicopter the day of the accident and taken to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch at Farnborough, UK, for read-out.
"The recordings on the CVFDR showed that everything appeared to be normal until a sudden catastrophic failure developed in 1-2 seconds. The CVFDR recordings ended abruptly at the same time. There are no indications that flight crew actions were a factor in the accident," says the report.
The helicopter was recovered and taken, along with the MRH, to the naval base Haakonsvern the day after the accident.
To aid its investigation, AIBN is calling on assistance from France, home to Airbus, and the UK. Le Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la Sécurité de l'Aviation civile is being supported by technical advisors from Airbus Helicopters and the engine manufacturer Turbomeca. From the UK, QinetiQ is contributing technical expertise.
In addition, the European Aviation Safety Agency is the competent certification Authority for Airbus Helicopters H225 and participates as advisor to the AIBN. The Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority and CHC Helicopters are also advisors and part of the investigation team.
Following the incident, UK and Norwegian authorities have restricted use of the Super Puma types EC225L and AS332LP for commercial flights.
Statoil described the crash as: "One of the most severe helicopter accidents in the history of the Norwegian oil industry."
The week following the aircraft disaster, CHC filed for Chapter 11 relief in the US. The company was also delisted from the New York Stock Exchange earlier this year after it failed to keep a market capitalization of US$15 million.
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