Originally Posted by
Hompy
And yet it stopped immediately after the last accident in the UK. There was pressure on the oil companies from the offshore workers but how much this had an effect is anybody's guess. However, you cannot call the last accident and subsequent cessation of offshore flying for the type a coincidence.
That was 1987. This is 2016 and the 225 has had an equally 'chequered' history, if not worse.
The Chinook crashed off Sumburgh in '86. The offending pieces still lie with RGU in Aberdeen for student case-studies.
The Chinooks stopped flying to the Shell offshore installations as soon as the telex was received from the Brent Charlie stating that the next Chinook landing there would be flipped over the side by use of the crane. Almost immediately we were into S-61's that were well liked - even after the Brent Spar disaster. Puma's were always distrusted, particularly after the Tiger variant ditched off the Cormorant Alpha. I was close by on the horrific night.