UK and Norwegian regulators are set to remove restrictions preventing operators from using two types of Super Puma helicopter than have been banned since a fatal accident in April in Norway.
The UK's Civil Aviation Authority says the move follows extensive investigation, testing and changes to the helicopter and its maintenance.
The two helicopter types H225LP and AS332L2 were banned from use in the UK and Norway following the fatal crash of a H225 near Turøy in Norway in April 2016.
The Turøy accident was the most serious helicopter accident on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) since 1997. Thirteen people died when the helicopter crashed on its way back from the Gullfaks B facility.
A preliminary investigation report pointed to a fatigue fracture in the aircraft's gear box as the most likely cause of the accident.
The CAA says manufacturer helicopter manufacturer Airbus Helicopters has developed modifications and enhanced safety measures for aircraft. While the helicopter was released back in to service by European Aviation Safety Agency in October 2016, the restrictions have remained in place in the UK and Norway until these further enhancements were made.
Changes and modifications made to the helicopter and its maintenance by Airbus Helicopters include:
The UK CAA said that helicopters will not begin flying immediately. A plan of checks, modifications and inspections needs to be undertaken before any flights take place. It will also be for operators and their customers to decide whether they wish to re-introduce the helicopters to service. In order to resume operations individual operators will need to supply safety cases to ensure that they have all the necessary measures (procedures, processes, tooling and training) in place for a return to service.
John McColl, Head of Airworthiness at the UK CAA, said: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly. It has only been made after receiving extensive information from the Norwegian accident investigators and being satisfied with the subsequent changes introduced by Airbus Helicopters through detailed assessment and analysis.
“The safety of those who travel on offshore helicopter flights is a key priority for both the UK and Norwegian aviation authorities. We would not have made this decision unless we were convinced that the changes to the helicopters and their maintenance restore the required airworthiness standards.
“We continue to work with the helicopter operators, the offshore industries, international regulators, unions and pilot representatives to enhance offshore safety standards still further and all these parties are actively involved in ongoing discussions.”
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