...and the reality of it?
In response to the "permanent grounding of all Superpumas" -
An interesting stance and approach - one that has been raised elsewhere too.
However - it begs the question - what if a similar accident were to happen on an S92? Perhaps another tail rotor problem on an AW139?
Having set the high profile and attention given to current accidents and developments, one could argue that similar precautions would need to take place on other aircraft as well, in case of technical issues. A fellow member has rightly stated that is is simply too early to say; and, the variants in the Superpuma fleet have indeed some significant differences in some of the systems. We just don't know yet. Statistics can be deceiving - indeed, there were 4 major Superpuma incidents in the UK Northsea recently. But remember to relate this always to the number of flight hours too, not just the type.
So if an S92 technical problem were to develop - would we halt all support to the Oil and Gas industry? Think also deepwater, long-distance, etc. What about business continuity, the impact on Oil and Gas, the price of fuel you pay at the pump?
OEMs simply could not produce enough airframes to make up for the grounding of ALL Superpumas, and there are very little alternatives when it comes to bad-weather, long range and payload. Sure, fill up a 139 with fuel - you will have the range, but only carry 6 passengers!
Safety Management will always be about a right balance based on risk management. Accident, even incidents where everybody survives will always be tragic. As tragic as they are, we have to accept that we can never be risk free. There are many things we can do to reduce risk, but it is all based on a management process. Shot-gun approaches, like the suggested permanent grounding of all Superpumas, just don't work. They are unrealistic and don't really add value to the Safety of Operations, neither to the business of operators and customers alike. Indeed, nobody will ever die again in a Superpuma crash offshore, but you will shift the statistics simply to other types. Let's see how the AW 189, B525, EC175, etc. will score in the future.
The other thing you do not see on forums is that, despite the lack of fatal accident, you don;t really know how many "close calls" other types have had.
So perhaps it is best to refrain from hurried statements and let the process take it's shape.
Last edited by tiltrotor; 25th Aug 2013 at 06:12.