The aircraft was flown back later that night demonstrating that things are still pretty messed up in Newfoundland and safety remains a poor second.
Last winter night flights (except for medical emergencies) were
banned when it was realised that the 24/7 SAR capability Cougar claimed they operated was false (they did not have autohover for night hoisting over the sea).
Because this aircraft blocked the rig's helideck they needed to hoist engineers down - but they couldn't use the SAR aircraft and continue to deliver normal passenger flights.
The result?
The arcraft is standed through the day, then a
night hoist flight is mounted (4-axis AP not necessary when winching over an illuminated deck), the SAR aircraft makes a
night landing nearby to wait, the engineers do a quick 30 minute inspection (no doubt including the MGB mounts) and both aircraft fly back at
night.
Are Cougar personnel considered more expendable then passengers who can't be flown offshore at night without autohover SAR available? Not really, because partial (return) passenger night flights have already started to crop up daylight has become more scarce and commercial pressures creep in.
Autohover remains unavailable for use on the S-92 in Canada for at least 2 months more.
Also: No CADORS report yet. Perhaps Cougar now really think that CNLOPB is now regulating them rather than TCCA as CNLOPB has formed an aviation team under a former commanding officer of 424 Squadron.