NORWAY is considering grounding all Sikorsky S-92A aircraft while it investigates a fatal accident after a helicopter ditched off the coast of western Norway on Wednesday evening.
The incident killed a woman in her 60s, with another person in critical condition and another suffering serious injuries. The other three crew members onboard the Bristow-operated helicopter suffered lighter injuries.
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Equinor, Aker BP and ConocoPhillips have all halted helicopter traffic offshore Norway while an investigation into the accident continues.
And Norway’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is considering whether to order a grounding of the model, which is almost exclusively used to fly workers to and from oilfields.
It did not say when the decision would be made, but reassured people it was a “high priority” in a statement.
Equinor has said it will review the situation by 9am on Friday morning, but CEO Anders Opedal told the broadcaster NRK: “We have confidence both in the type of helicopter and in the operators.”
Safety Investigation Authority head William Berthheussen told Reuters: “We have sent crash inspectors to Stavanger and Bergen to investigate the accident”.
Bristow Group said it was fully cooperating with authorities in their response to the incident.
