Originally Posted by
SASless
A Bell 412 disappeared one night on one of these Medical Evacuation flights (not from the site being discussed) and was not known to be missing till the receiving hospital called the next morning wanting to know when the aircraft would arrive.
In the accident report it says:
"Less than five minutes after the helicopter lifted off from SEDCO Energy Platform, the radio operator received a brief and unclear message from the helicopter. The radio operator tried to establish contact with the helicopter but there was no response. Relevant agencies were immediately notified, and a search and rescue mission launched by Chevron Nigeria Limited, Pan Ocean Limited, and Pan African Airlines."
I was told SASless's version that it wasn't till the next morning they were aware the aircraft hadn't returned from it's medevac, also wonder what was used as a SAR asset because at that time
AFAIK there was no offshore SAR capability in Nigeria except an AS332L for LIMSAR on the SNEPCO Bonga contract and a small boat which they positioned halfway between Snake Island and the Bonga field.
Also in the report vis 100m in fog when they landed, amazing job in that B412 if that was the case!