Helo Crash into North Sea

[Airbubba]

MSNBC sent a bulletin reporting a helo with seventeen people has crashed into the North Sea...

[HowlingWind]

It reportedly occurred off the Dutch coast near Den Helder. Total of 17 aboard, 10 "pulled out of water" according to this early report (http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/21/europe/EU_GEN_Netherlands_Helicopter_Crash.php). Condition of the 10 unknown.

Edit: AP now reporting all 17 rescued, craft was a Super Puma.

[con-pilot]

Edit: AP now reporting all 17 rescued, craft was a Super Puma.

Now that is great news! :ok:

Well done SAR.

[Figas]

It was a shell related incident, more details from their internal website:




On Tuesday evening (21 November) a power breakdown occurred on the K15 Bravo, a NAM installation in the North sea, located 50 kilometres from the Dutch coast off Den Helder. As a precautionary measure 13 employees were evacuated from the platform by a Bristow operated helicopter. During the flight to Den Helder the helicopter had to make an emergency landing 12 kilometres offshore. The reasons for this are still unknown. The coastguard has confirmed that all passengers - 13 employees and 4 crew members - are safe and sound. NAM mobilised its emergency procedures together with the municipality services. Family members have been informed. One employee was in hospital for a short period of time concerning signs of hypothermia. All employees are now home again. Further information will be provided once further details of the incident become known.


Figas

[CATIIIBnoDH]

Update on the Heli crash from Dutch news sources. First of all, All occupants are safe on land (13 pax 4 crew) One passenger was amitted to hospital in a light "undercooled condition". All were wearing sea survival suits (std proc).

The Bristow Super Puma (SAR version) was on a rescue mission from a NAM Platform in the North Sea. The Platform had a total power failure and the crew was to be evacuated. On the flight back at approx 2345 LT the heli reported engine problems. A rescue mission was started with several lifeboats and 3 heli. The heli made a succesful ditching approx 25km west off Den Helder.

Because of wx conditions the main rescue was performed by boats and one pass. was transfered by heli. A tug which guarded the heli lost sight of the craft during the night when it drifted to shallow waters. The news just reported the the heli has been found after being washed ashore on the island of Texel.

That's it folks, Dutch authorities will start an investigation

[keithl]

Bit much to have to be rescued from the rescue a/c!

[fox niner]

And here it is:

The chopper after it beached on the island of Texel.....


http://www.texel-plaza.nl/nieuws/afbeeldingen/25593helikopter2net.jpg


Absolutely great they all got out.

[ATC Watcher]

2 questions for the Heli specialists :

1-would they had made it if they had all stayed on board the Puma until it came to shore like this ?

2- will the Puma fly again ?

[sailor]

Anyone who puts their faith in rotating wings has to be a good swimmer/floater/skydiver(if you can avoid the rotating things!) /believer in a supreme being who will keep you safe from the law of averages; or have good life insurance. There are just too many moving parts and the rear-going blade must remember to increase its angle of attack every time it goes that way!
Tail rotor to stop what you are sitting in going the opposite way to the roating wing-things - it's all utter madness even to think about stepping into one! Oh, I forgot all about the fun of ground resonance where the thing can shake itself apart and roll over in the process.
Whirls I admire you and your ilk for your extreme bravery. Just remember that wings were meant to be fixed to the fuselage; check out the design of angels and cherubs if you want a peek at the original masterplan!

[The Nr Fairy]

Anyone your age who believes in cherubs and angels needs to see a shrink ! At least I can touch the bits which keep me in the air :)

Seriously, glad they're all out in one piece, if slightly moist (I do hope that wasn't Haydn involved!).

Already being discussed on Mil Aircrew (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=253308) and Rotorheads (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=253255)

[Agaricus bisporus]

It was a shell related incident, more details from their internal website:


A bit like saying that a major train crash was " A Marks and Spencer related accident" because a couple of underwear salesmen were on board.

Oh well, never let facts get in the way of a loud headline...

[egsshell]

Several reports this morning of an ELT being heard on 121.5 by a/c over the North Sea. The very polite Maastricht controller explained about the heli and oil rig.

That must be the first time I have heard an ELT doing what it was meant to do in the right circumstances.

Great to hear that all involved are still with us.

Top marks to the heli crew for a really professional job. I have never flown in one, and never want to, but I reckon N Sea oil rig operations must be the most demanding, and dangerous, job in aviation.

p.s bit embarrassing for the coastguard to lose the helicopter. "err... it was here a minute ago..."