Swinney to make statement regarding Super Puma crash

Posted: September 4, 2013

Posted in: Faulty Work Equipment Workplace Injuries Wrongful & Accidental Death 

While the reason for last month’s Super Puma crash continues to be investigated, Scotland’s Finance Secretary John Swinney is due to make a statement at Hollyrood. Twelve days after the crash occurred — killing four people off Shetland — Mr. Swinney is expected to offer condolences to the families of those killed in the accident. As well as praise those who helped during the search and rescue operation. He said that ministers would co-operate with an industry inquiry, but that a decision is not ready to be taken concerning a wider investigation.

The Super Puma AS332 L2 went down on the 23^rd of August just off the Shetland coast. The flight had come from the Borgsten Dolphin rig, and was due to land in Sumburgh when the incident occurred — this being the fifth incident involving a Super Puma in the North Sea since 2009.

Not due to airworthiness or a technical problem

The Air Accident Investigation Branch is still investigating the wreckage and the flight data recorder in an attempt to uncover what went wrong.  However, based on their most recent information, the Civil Aviation Authority said that the crash could not have been caused by airworthiness or a technical problem. Bristow, an offshore helicopter company, are still operating their Super Puma flights to carry passengers to oil and gas installations.

The finance secretary spoke at Holyrood on Tuesday, and when asked about launching a public inquiry into the safety of helicopters within the sector, he said:

“I think before we form a judgment on whether a full inquiry is required into these matters, we should allow the investigation of this particular incident to take its course.”

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