Helicopter down off Ghana

[rotor342]

Oil rig helicopter crashes off Ghana's coast, killing three | Top News | Reuters (http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCABREA470XH20140508)

[helihub]

Reports of three fatal, four rescued and one unaccounted for. Helicopter supporting a Lukoil rig, op by Volta River Aviation who fly various models of 365N

see also
OFFICIAL...Ghana: Chopper Crashes Into Sea; 3 Dead, 1 Missing | General News | Peacefmonline.com (http://news.peacefmonline.com/pages/news/201405/198863.php) (excuse their poor image research)

[alouette]

Is this the same operator who had an incident with mining executives some time ago?

[Nubian]

It appears to be the same, although the company operate under 2 different names. Volta River Aviation (Ghana) and International Aircraft Services (Ivory Coast)

[EESDL]

No one appeared to have been concerned to question whereabouts until it was 2-hours late for a 15-minute flight!!!!!

[capt tosspot]

I found this info;

On the 8th May, 2014 a helicopter (AS365N Dauphin C2) with registration marking TU-HAA and serial number 6220 took off from Takoradi Airport at 1259 UTC intended landing at Lukoil (offshore oil rig) station 1310 UTC (ETA). The helicopter established radio communication with the rig at 1303 UTC and was asked by Takoradi Control Tower to continue the flight to the rig. At 1405 UTC the Takoradi Controller Tower was informed by a representative of the rig that they have lost contact with the helicopter which was confirmed by the company's Sky-Tracking software which had stopped showing the helicopter in motion.

So this would show at least 55 minutes after it was due to arrive at the vessel. Normal flight time was 11 - 13 minutes.

Very sad.
I have not yet been able to see how old the ac was - does anyone know?

[Self loading bear]

Same as the last ditching as discussed in "Yet another ditching in GOM", this one to seems to have gone quiet as well. As I am relativly new on the forum, i would like to ask if there might be websites of French aviation authorities (land of manufacturer) or others where intermediate results could be published?
I looked on the GCAA website but i couldn't find anything about this crash.

On another note:
As stated earlier the response time was 55 minutes. It is sad that Lukoil responded with an update on 9th May:
A search and rescue mission was launched immediately with support from the Ghana Navy and Air Force and other operators in the area.link (http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=132996)
:{
SLB

[Keke Napep]

SLB,
There seems to be little information on this crash as yet and what there is, is contradictory.

The Air Safety Network of the Flight Safety Foundation reports the type as a 365N with 5 dead:
Aviation Safety Network (http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=166071)

The French BEA (Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la sécurité de l'aviation civile) reports 4 fatalities and 4 survivors:
BEA Open Enquiries (http://www.bea.aero/fr/enquetes/2014/2014.semaine.20.pdf)

Helihub also reports 4 fatalities and that the manufacturer's serial number was 6220. This was first registered on 12 January 1989

Of the fatalities, one was identified as the pilot, Ejimofor Omesili:
Graphic News (http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/22655-victims-of-chopper-crash-identified.html)

[alouette]

Omesili?!? Didn't he fly for PAAN a while ago?

[Keke Napep]

Yes, ACN, Court Helicopters, PAAN, Bristow, Gitto Construzioni Generali, Caverton