North sea helo down

[grimfixer]

BBC News - Bond Super Puma helicopter ditches in North Sea off Aberdeen (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18020646)

Top work to the crew - all onboard fit and well after a controlled ditching.

Nice one guys!!:D

[RS15]

Nice work. Goldfish club all round?

[A2QFI]

As a non-helicopter person I have to wonder why a Puma cannot fly with one engine "Out". Something to with AUW or temperature perhaps?

[serf]

A2 QFi, perhaps you need to go back for retraining at CFS.

[charliegolf]

The Puma is renowned for its single engine performance. Not in a good way.

CG

[Misformonkey]

Jungle drums saying 'Trans Chip' caption.

[MightyGem]

I have to wonder why a Puma cannot fly with one engine "Out".
Not an issue here. Main gearbox oil problem apparently.
http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/485032-north-sea-helicopter-ditching-10th-may-2012-a-2.html

[Fareastdriver]

Main transmission oil pressure problem. No option; land or ditch as soon as possible. People have tried to fly dry gearboxes and it just ends in tears.

[Wizzard]

As a non-helicopter person... you should stop right there!

[NutLoose]

Glad to see it all ended well, did it sink or remain afloat?

[althenick]

Saw the footage of the cab sitting upright in the oggin. It almost looked natural! As a non flyer it was quite impressive. Is it true that these helo's have a high C of G? If so then even more impressive.
Well done to the Pilot and crew

[A2QFI]

An answer to a reasonable question would be more helpful than a snide comment.

[Gwyn_ap_Nudd]

If it was a "Trans Chip" caption then damn' good idea to get down PDQ!

[OafOrfUxAche]

Military aircrew???

[lomapaseo]

As a non-helicopter person I have to wonder why a Puma cannot fly with one engine "Out". Something to with AUW or temperature perhaps?


An answer to a reasonable question would be more helpful than a snide comment.

agree with you there

Main transmission oil pressure problem. No option; land or ditch as soon as possible. People have tried to fly dry gearboxes and it just ends in tears.

My take is that it doesn't matter how many propulsion systems you have if the rotor lift system won't turn any longer. Hence the meaning of main transmission problem

[NutLoose]

An RAF Puma wouldn't sit so low in the water due to the obligatory bodge tape sealing the nose. :E


Says Bond are to recover it, but would it not be first come first served as surely it would be salvage rights, as per a ship.

[pohm1]

A2QFI
WRT the 'engine out,' performance, this helicopter is the EC225, the newest derivative of the Super Puma, and light years ahead of the 330J. Single engine cruise would prove no problem, single engine climb out after take-off in the North Sea temps should be similar.

Gwyn_ap_Nudd
If it was a "Trans Chip" caption then damn' good idea to get down PDQ!

As has been mentioned, this was a MGB pressure issue, not just a chip warning. I'd question whether a machine should be ditched for a chip warning with no other warning indications.

Bravo to the crew.

P1

[A2QFI]

Many thanks for that. The BBC report mentioned an engine oil pressure problem, hence my question. In fact it was a transmission problem, which I understand, and hence your clear reply.

[A2QFI]

Thank you. Please see my #18

[Surplus]

Did a SAR once for a Puma hit by lightning off the rigs, successful ditching and evacuation, only to have the A/C sink because a flotation bag burst after rubbing against the side of the Oil Rig Supply vessel that it was tied to.:ooh:

[pohm1]

The BBC report was unusual in the fact that it failed to mention the heroic efforts of the crew to steer their disabled craft away from the nearby orphanage/school/hospital etc!

P1

[Fareastdriver]

The cruise liner carrying ophans and disabled children for a day trip was just out of shot.
Seriously the flotation gear on the Puma is very effective having a collectively wide beam. However it will not support the aircraft indefinitively and it will sink if not secured. I've known of a few around the world. One tipped over and disappeared after everybody was out; one sank whilst being towed; one was salvaged and ended up as an escape trainer but none flew again.

[212man]

....and one ended up washed up on the coast like a beached whale:ok:

[Green Flash]

Havn't seen that black and yellow rescue cab before. Looked like a Puma but whose and where from please?

[Senior Pilot]

Havn't seen that black and yellow rescue cab before. Looked like a Puma but whose and where from please?

North Sea Jigsaw: (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/148347-north-sea-jigsaw.html) Bond Helicopters' AS332L2 for the BP Jigsaw North Sea SAR

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1194/1277323524_c2eb9d11a7_z.jpg

[Heathrow Harry]

see the ditched aircraft has been recovered to Aberdeen harbour..........

probably be back in service next week.............

[TheSmiter]

only if Aberdeen Harbour has been renamed Peterhead, Harry.

[Green Flash]

Thank you Senior Pilot, appreciated.

[Daysleeper]

only if Aberdeen Harbour has been renamed Peterhead, Harry.

It would be if Ryanair did ditched aircraft recovery

[El_Presidente]

I'm no Helo mate but given the MGB issues the Super Puma has had I would be getting on the deck super fast. Glad all are ok.

It took the sad events of the loss of G-REDL to ensure crews are alerted to chip warnings as they happen, rather than waiting for the hums download at base.

Air Accidents Investigation: 2/2011 G-REDL (http://www.aaib.gov.uk/publications/formal_reports/2_2011_g_redl.cfm)

[BluenGreen]

Good advertisement for having floats on your helicopter if you are operating over water. SH-60R? No Floats......dumb.