News / Super Puma manufacturer accepts responsibility
Airbus Helicopters, the manufacturer of a Super Puma helicopter that ditched into the sea off Fair Isle in October 2012, has accepted full responsibility for the incident.
The move has been welcomed by lawyers representing twelve of the 19 people on board the CHC operated Super Puma EC225.
All on board survived the ordeal but several passengers reported that they believed they were going to die when the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing into the sea 32 miles south of Shetland mainland.
The company’s acceptance of responsibility follows a comprehensive accident investigation report last month, which concluded that a component in the gearbox lubrication system had failed.
After that, an incorrect warning light wrongly indicated to the helicopter crew that the emergency lubrication system had failed.
Passengers and crew were able to evacuate the helicopter and boarded two life rafts before being rescued and transported to a nearby ship.
The aviation law team of solicitor firm Irwin Mitchell have now received written confirmation from Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter), in which they accept its sole responsibility for the failures that led the crew to ditch the aircraft.
Jim Morris, a partner in the law team, described the series of failures that led to the ditching as “worrying”.
He added: “Fortunately everyone survived this terrifying incident but several of the passengers have suffered physical and serious psychological injuries as they were genuinely resigned to the fact that they may die.
“Many are still suffering from the effects to this day and need specialist therapy such as counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy which we hope will help them come to terms with what they went through.
“There have been a number of adverse incidents involving Super Puma helicopters in recent years. We now hope that the issues identified in the recent accident report are fully addressed as soon as possible to prevent any similar incidents in future.”
Jonathan Garcia, an ROV pilot technician who suffered psychological trauma in the October 2012 ditching, said: “It has been a long wait for answers regarding the incident but, if any good is to come of it, it will be that steps are taken to improve offshore helicopter safety in the long term.
“Barely a day goes by when I do not think of the ditching. It was incredibly traumatic.
“Thankfully now that Airbus Helicopters has accepted responsibility, we should be able to start moving forward and receive the help and support we need to be able to move on with our lives.
“I hope that the aviation authorities and helicopter operators take the necessary steps to prevent anyone else going through what I have had to experience.”
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