Worker safety investigation launched into offshore chopper crash
A government regulator that manages the offshore oil industry near Newfoundland said Wednesday it will investigate a helicopter crash that killed 17 people last month.
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board said in a brief statement it will "establish an inquiry into worker safety associated with the recent helicopter incident in the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore area."
A Cougar Helicopters aircraft crashed on March 12, minutes after its crew reported mechanical problems involving its gearbox. The chopper had been carrying workers to two platforms working southeast of St. John's when it encountered sudden problems.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada launched an investigation the day after the crash.
To date, the TSB has said its investigation is focusing on a mounting stud that came loose during flight, although TSB investigators have said the fault did not necessarily cause the crash.
The CNLOPB, a federal-provincial agency that manages development and exploration for oil and gas off Newfoundland and Labrador, said its investigation "will not examine issues" already under review at the TSB.
"While we believe it is important to announce the inquiry at this time, we continue to work on a definition of the mandate, terms of reference, selection of a commissioner for the inquiry and timeline for inquiry completion," the CNLOPB said in a statement.
Labour advocates and politicians, including Premier Danny Williams, have raised concerns about safety issues in the wake of the crash.
Some workers, for instance, have been leery about flying on helicopters to the platforms, which are more than 300 kilometres from Newfoundland's east coast, until their safety has been assured.
Williams has asked for a review of whether survival suits worn by workers during the flights are the safest available.
NDP Leader Lorraine Michael said she is disturbed by revelations that a Sikorsky S-92 failed a European test to "run dry" for 30 minutes after losing oil its gearbox. Cougar Helicopters uses several civilian versions of the Sikorsky aircraft.
"If the Sikorsky cannot be made safe, if it cannot have that half-hour dry-run ability, then I think they have to get rid of them [and] get new helicopters," Michael said.
"Because let's face it, the only thing that the helicopter has is the rotor blades, and if you lose the gearbox, that's it."