CHC Helicopters Eurocopter AS332
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The 2013 CHC Helicopter Eurocopter AS332 crash involved a Eurocopter AS332L2 Super Puma Mk 2 (G-WNSB) belonging to CHC Helicopters that crashed into the sea 2 nm from Sumburgh in the Shetland Islands, Scotland while en route from Borgsten Dolphin oil platform. The accident killed four of the passengers; 12 other passengers and two crew were rescued. An investigation by the UK's Air Accident Investigation Branch is ongoing.
Accident
The helicopter was on an otherwise normal approach to Sumburgh Airport, when at 18:17–18:20 local time, the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control. No mayday was sent out by the pilots as they attempted to make a controlled ditching into the North Sea, 1.5-2 nm west from Sumburgh. The helicopter fell into the sea and then turned upside down during the evacuation. The helicopter was found broken into several pieces up against rocks at Fitful Head.
Recovered flight data noted by the Air Accident Investigation Branch suggests that the helicopter engines remained powered until impact. The manufacturer's initial analysis based on that data indicated that a combination of factors had placed the helicopter into a vortex ring state at low altitude which made impact "unavoidable".
Recovered flight data noted by the Air Accident Investigation Branch suggests that the helicopter engines remained powered until impact. The manufacturer's initial analysis based on that data indicated that a combination of factors had placed the helicopter into a vortex ring state at low altitude which made impact "unavoidable".
Investigation
The Police Scotland and Air Accidents Investigation Branch have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. On 5 September 2013, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch special bulletin reported that there is no evidence of a causal technical failure that could have led to the crash. Both the wreckage and black boxes are still being examined.
| Incident summary | |
|---|---|
| Date | 23 August 2013 |
| Summary | Under Investigation |
| Site | Fitful Head, 2 NM W off Sumburgh, Shetland Islands, Scotland |
| Passengers | 16 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Fatalities | 4 |
| Injuries (non-fatal) | 14 |
| Survivors | 14 |
| Aircraft type | Eurocopter AS332L2 Super Puma |
| Operator | CHC Helicopters |
| Registration | G-WNSB |
| Flight origin | Aberdeen Airport |
| Destination | Sumburgh Airport |
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