POSITION

PAPER

CHC Helicopter Crash Norway

29 April 2016
Released 09 May 2016

Executive summary
 On Friday 29 April 2016 an Airbus EC225LP Super Puma helicopter operated by CHC
Helicopters crashed near Bergen in Norway. Tragically, all 13 people on board lost their
lives.
 The helicopter was carrying oil workers from the Statoil operated Gullfaks B platform to
Bergen when it crashed near the village of Solsvik outside Bergen.
 According to the Norwegian Accident Investigation Board (AIBN) it appears that the
main rotor disc separated from the helicopter before it crashed and, as a result of initial
investigations, the accident was due to a “technical error”.
 The Norwegian and UK authorities, along with CHC Helicopters have grounded all
EC225LP Super Puma aircraft except for Search and Rescue operations.
 After initially supporting this position, Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter) issued a
technical bulletin on 01 May 2016 making a decision “not to suspend flights of any
nature for the EC225LP” while standing by the decision taken by the Norwegian and UK
authorities “out of respect for all those affected by the accident”.
 The majority of IOGP member companies have suspended use of the EC225LP Super
Puma aircraft while investigations are ongoing.

IOGP Aviation Sub Committee

As soon as news broke of this incident, the IOGP Aviation Subcommittee (ASC), chaired by
Steve Hawkes of BP, started communicating their positions, queries and questions with
members of the ASC, aided greatly by the Statoil member, Erik Hamremoen.
Because of IOGP’s unique relationship with the manufacturers, the IOGP ASC was kept fully
informed by Airbus Helicopters, getting immediate access to all notes and bulletins as soon as
they were released.
Last weekend the ASC clarified the position of all members (most, if not all suspending the use
of EC225LP flights) and, working with HeliOffshore (the helicopter operator’s trade body),
coordinated a call with the manufacturers to raise some concerns and clarify Airbus Helicopter’s
position specifically around the gearbox on that aircraft type.
Airbus Helicopters were able to confirm with the AIBN that “preliminary inspection of the main
gearbox vertical shaft shows no link with the 2012 ditching events”.

1 – Position Paper on CHC Helicopter Crash Norway 29 April 2016 released 09 May 2016
The ASC continue to keep their member companies informed of any developments and
continue to share updates and information from the investigation and from Airbus Helicopters,
as well as sharing the member companies’ positions on the use of the EC225LP.

IOGP Membership
IOGP has extended our deepest sympathies to Statoil and those affected by this tragic incident
on behalf of all our members. This communication serves as an information note to IOGP
members and others wanting to know what IOGP is doing and how to get the latest information
and understand the latest Industry positions.
If anyone wants any further information on this or any of the other Health, Safety and Security
work we do, please contact the Health, Safety and Security Director at IOGP, Chris Hawkes on
+44 20 3763 9709 and by e-mail ch@iogp.org

About IOGP
The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (now IOGP and formerly known as OGP)
is the voice of the global upstream industry. Oil and gas continue to provide a significant
proportion of the world’s energy to meet growing demands for heat, light and transport.
Our Members produce more than a third of the world's oil and gas. They operate in all
producing regions: The Americas, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the Caspian, Asia &
Australia.
We serve industry regulators as a global partner for improving safety, environment and social
performance. And also act as a unique global forum in which our Members identify and share
knowledge and good practices to achieve improvements in every aspect of health, safety, the
environment, security and social responsibility.

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2 – Position Paper on CHC Helicopter Crash Norway 29 April 2016 released 09 May 2016