by Justin Bachman (Bloomberg) At the helicopter industry’s largest trade show last week, dozens of aircraft were parked over 7 acres of Dallas convention center space. Yet only one generated a constant crowd as more than 1,000 people gathered around Bell’s FCX-001 chopper. Just as carmakers roll out concept vehicles at auto shows, Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. decided last … [Read more...]
Sikorsky Calls for Mandatory Inspection of S92 Helicopters After North Sea Rig Landing Accident
International helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky is requiring all operators of its S92A helicopters to undertake a mandatory inspection of all aircraft worldwide after a rig landing accident in the North Sea late last month. Following media reports of a fleet-wide grounding, Sikorsky is stressing that the requirement is to undertake a global fleet-wide … [Read more...]
WATCH: Insane Helicopter Landing on Ship in North Atlantic Storm
I don't really get seasick, or any kind of motion sickness for that matter, but then again I've never landed a helicopter on the back of a heavily rolling ship in a North Atlantic storm. The incredible landing was filmed by the Royal Danish Air Force while testing a new Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk helicopter it recently bought from the U.S. … [Read more...]
Six Killed After Offshore Helicopter Crashes in Nigeria
The Nigerian unit of offshore oil and gas helicopter transport compony Bristow Group has confirmed that six people have died after one of its aircraft crashed in Lagos, Nigeria this week. Bristow Helicopters (Nigeria) Limited confirmed the tragic news in a statement saying that the aircraft was carrying 10 passengers and two crew when it crashed Wednesday, killing four … [Read more...]
U.K. Announces Measures to Improve Offshore Helicopter Safety
The U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Thursday announced a series of measures aimed at increasing the safety of offshore helicopter flights to and from offshore oil rigs following a a number of fatal crashes and ditches. The new measures are the result of a comprehensive review into offshore helicopter operations in the North Sea launched after four oil workers were … [Read more...]
Eight Survive Helicopter Ditching
This morning at around 7:42 local time, a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter carrying six oil and gas workers ditched some 150+ kilometers off Bintulu, Malaysia. The passengers, from from France, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Canada, along with two flight crew, all escaped the aircraft as it sank and were recovered by a passing vessel according to reports. No one seems to have suffered … [Read more...]
Offshore Helicopter Makes Hard Landing at Port Fourchon
Update - Port officials have confirmed no injuries amongst the 9 people onboard, praising the pilot's efforts in putting the helicopter down safely. The helicopter has sustained some damage to its landing gear. Original - A helicopter heading offshore with 8 passengers made a hard landing Thursday morning at Port Fourchon, possibly causing some minor injuries but no major … [Read more...]