Puma ditching Nigeria
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 21
From: Beyond the black stump!
Chopper ditches at Agbami
All 18 personnel on board a helicopter heading to SeaBird Exploration's seismic vessel Kondor Explorer are safe after the aircraft was forced to ditch into the sea earlier today.
Upstream staff Friday, 11 December, 2009, 13:46 GMT
The helicopter made a controlled landing into the sea at a few hundred metres from the Kondor Explorer, currently working on a survey at the Agbami field off Nigeria, at 12:10 CET.
“No persons were injured and all 18 persons from the helicopter were safely picked up from the sea by rescue boats,” the company said in a statement.
There were 16 crew and two pilots on the helicopter.
SeaBird boss Tim Isden said that the company has launched an investigation into the incident, adding the cause is not yet clear.
"Our emergency response team on the Kondor Explorer carried out their duties superbly," he said. "There were no injuries and all 18 men were collected from the water."
The Kondor Explorer is carrying out a 4D seismic survey at Agbami for field operator Chevron.
Published: 11 December 2009 | Last updated: 11 December 2009
All 18 personnel on board a helicopter heading to SeaBird Exploration's seismic vessel Kondor Explorer are safe after the aircraft was forced to ditch into the sea earlier today.
Upstream staff Friday, 11 December, 2009, 13:46 GMT
The helicopter made a controlled landing into the sea at a few hundred metres from the Kondor Explorer, currently working on a survey at the Agbami field off Nigeria, at 12:10 CET.
“No persons were injured and all 18 persons from the helicopter were safely picked up from the sea by rescue boats,” the company said in a statement.
There were 16 crew and two pilots on the helicopter.
SeaBird boss Tim Isden said that the company has launched an investigation into the incident, adding the cause is not yet clear.
"Our emergency response team on the Kondor Explorer carried out their duties superbly," he said. "There were no injuries and all 18 men were collected from the water."
The Kondor Explorer is carrying out a 4D seismic survey at Agbami for field operator Chevron.
Published: 11 December 2009 | Last updated: 11 December 2009
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 768
Likes: 45
From: Montreal
Seismic ship. Low deck compared to a rig.
Puma Ditches In Nigeria | VTOLBLOG
Landing or takeoff? Incident or self-inflicted?
And the usual beg for pictures. Sounds like it is sitting on the barge in good shape - wonder how soon it can fly again.
Puma Ditches In Nigeria | VTOLBLOG
Landing or takeoff? Incident or self-inflicted?
And the usual beg for pictures. Sounds like it is sitting on the barge in good shape - wonder how soon it can fly again.
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: GB
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: AFRICA
I've worked 2 weeks last month with Siem Marlin on Agip/Oyo field, very competent and professional crew, (radio man, HLO and deck crew...) 
Everybody is safe
A controlled ditch is always better than an uncontrolled landing
Everybody is safe
A controlled ditch is always better than an uncontrolled landing
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Ecosse
I do agree that a controlled landing onto a helideck would make more sense bearing in mind they were so close to it but we don't yet know the circumstances. Whatever the reason the crew did really well & Its nice to know that everyone got out ok.
Zaphod,
I would be very much surprised if the crew hadn't thought of landing on
the deck as an option!!
Zaphod,
I don't suppose the crew thought of that
the deck as an option!!
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
From: Toledo, OH
It is quite possible that a deck landing was not a viable option. I don't know about the Puma, but many twin engine helicopters have a minimum single engine speed when operating in Category A. If this is the case, then the deck landing was not a doable event. I have a friend that had to ditch a S76 due to an engine failure, because of the minimum single engine speed.
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 50
From: Aberdeen
I think you will find that the aircraft was carrying diversion fuel to a land airport. If it ditched due to engine failure, it was because it had already slowed down below a speed/height where a go-around on one engine was possible.
HC
HC
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
Likes: 1,072
From: Downeast
I thought Tigers hovered on one engine at max weight? Or is that some misconception?
Archos ....Archos....I know that name from somewhere....let me think a bit!
Ah yes...."One more....One More....One more....an endless refrain it was one night (actually several) amongst which some bicycles got ridden into a swimming pool by a fellow wearing Tails...and all wound up looking like the Grand Mufti himself!
Archos ....Archos....I know that name from somewhere....let me think a bit!
Ah yes...."One more....One More....One more....an endless refrain it was one night (actually several) amongst which some bicycles got ridden into a swimming pool by a fellow wearing Tails...and all wound up looking like the Grand Mufti himself!
Puma Ditching
