Coastgaurd Helicopter rotor hits tanker pipe

[UKpaxman]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3659264.stm

Thought this would've been in here already...
Obviously a pretty close thing - suspect they'll suspend the S61 carrying out these operations till the incident is fully investigated.

[332mistress]

oops

will the Bolkow 105 be making a return?

332M

[verticalflight]

From bbc.com

Helicopter rotor hits tanker pipe


The helicopter struck a pipe on a tanker at the terminal
An investigation has been launched in Shetland after the main rotor blade of a helicopter struck a pipe on an oil tanker.
The incident happened at the Sullom Voe terminal during the transfer of a pilot onto the tanker Aral Sea.

A full-scale emergency was declared, but the helicopter with four crew on board landed safely.

The coastguard helicopter has now been taken out of service and replaced by a stand-by craft.


Earlier this year Shetland Islands Council signed a one-year contract with Bristows to transfer pilots onto tankers after it scrapped its dedicated full time Pollution Helicopter based at the oil port.

Pilots are put on vessels at the entrance to the port of Sullom Voe.

The incident happened at about 0900 BST near Yell Sound.

The terminal is operated by oil company BP and Shetland Islands Council is responsible for port operations.

[UKpaxman]

Story I'm hearing is that the tail (not tail rotor side) came into contact with the tankers inert gas vent pipe. If so, the media have gone off half-cocked again:rolleyes:

[Eurochopper]

5 rotor blades are being shipped up to Shetland so for once the press got it right!

[bondu]

"after it scrapped its dedicated full time Pollution Helicopter"

Another example of an oil company (BP) cutting costs once again??

[SASless]

No Tailrotor gearbox...no drive shafting...???? Sudden stoppage inspection required??? What say you 61 engineers....if you have to replace five tail rotor blades....should you not be replacing some other bits too?:confused:

[Fatigue]

Call me stupid....but shouldn't a dedicated full time SAR helicopter be used for just that, SAR?
What next, crew changes for these greedy oil companies if the dedicated aircraft goes u/s?
:mad: