Chris Allen
Improving Offshore Helicopter Safety
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Improving Offshore Helicopter Safety
Offshore Helicopter Operations
The Regulatory Regime
Helicopter Safety Record History
Recent helicopter accidents
Helicopter Risks in perspective
Work of the Helicopter Task Group
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Offshore Helicopter Operations
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Helicopters
Now
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Regulatory Regime
CAA oversee all aircraft operations and maintenance
HSE oversee helideck operations and arrangements for Emergency Escape and
Rescue
AAIB Investigate all accidents
Industry provides guidance through Oil and Gas UK and OGP
OPITO sets standards for offshore survival and emergency training
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Helicopter Safety Record - History
From 1977 to date, over 60 million passengers were transported to and from
offshore installations on the UKCS, in around 3.5 million flying hours.
During this time, 8 fatal accidents claimed the lives of 110 people.
Catastrophic component failure was the primary cause of 4 accidents, human
factors were the cause attributed to a further 4.
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Helicopter Safety Record
3 fatal accidents have occurred in the last decade:
2002 Sikorsky S76 crash in the Leman Field. Caused by a rotor blade
failure on approach to the platform. All 11 on board were killed
2006 Eurocopter Crash in Morecambe Bay. Caused by pilot disorientation
in poor visability. All 7 on board were killed
2009 Super Puma returning from BP Miller Field suffered catastrophic
gearbox failure. All 16 on board were killed.
These recent accidents underpin the importance of continuing industry efforts
to improve safety.
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Helicopter Safety Record - Comparisons
OGP data demonstrates that the UKCS compares favourably with the all North
Sea and Worldwide for fatal and non-fatal accident rates
For example, during the period 1995 - 2005, the UKCS reported one fatal
accident whereas 63 fatal accidents were recorded world-wide
FATAL ACCIDENT NON-FATAL
REGION RATES ACCIDENT RATES
(Flying Hrs.100,000) (Flying Hrs.100,000)
All North Sea 0.20 0.97
Worldwide 0.64 1.65
UKCS 0.12 0.69
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Helicopter Safety Record - Comparisons
TRANSPORT MODE 1999 2008 AVERAGE
Air 0.0
Rail 0.2
Car 2.5
Offshore Helicopter 6.3
Pedal Cycle 31
Pedestrian 40
Two Wheeled Motor Vehicle 106
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Helicopter Task Group (HTG)
Created to address cross-industry issues around helicopter safety, including those
arising from the fatal helicopter crash off the north-east coast of Scotland on 1 April
2009.
Purpose:
To act on behalf of the industry as a focal point for sharing information, advice and learning's.
Not involved in AAIB or technical investigations apart from cross industry
implementations of any recommendations made
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Helicopter Task Group (HTG)
Representatives:
Companies who were directly involved in the April 2009 fatal accident
Companies from Oil and Gas UKs Board or Council
Helicopter Companies
Trade Union representatives (RMT,Unite, BALPA)
Safety Representatives from the Offshore Workforce
Grampian Police
Civil Aviation Authority
Health & Safety Executive
Marine & Coastguard Agency
Oil and Gas UK
Lessons Learned from recent accidents:
Morecambe Bay, ETAP ditching, S92 crash Newfoundland, Bond Flight 85N
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Helicopter Task Group. What did it achieve?
Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)
New PLBs developed and tested against new CAA standard Helicopter
Beacons replaced or modified to remove risk of interference
Passenger briefing developed on PLB use
PLBs now re-introduced for all passengers
Survival Suits
Survival suits in use in UK reviewed for suitability and performance
Suits in use are best available and mandatory for all UK offshore flights
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Helicopter Task Group. What did it achieve?
Improvements in Technology
Flight Surveillance System
Implementation of multilateration system to track helicopters beyond range of radar
Voice communication VHF rebroadcasting
Improvement of coverage for radio communications
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Multilateration project (surveillance)
Radar Coverage from land
based radars (Sumburgh,
Aberdeen and Allanshill) plus
Gulfaks offshore
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Radar + multilateration
Multilateration area
shown in yellow
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Multilateration system how it works
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CNS/NNS and WOS new VHF voice
coverage areas
(for helicopters at 1,000ft)
Schiehallion
Beryl
Brae
Claymore
Nelson
Forties
Judy
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SNS VHF extended coverage
Addition of Murdoch
improves coverage
to the NE of
Humberside,
previously a black
hole
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Helicopter Task Group. What did it achieve?
Improvements in Technology
Helideck Lighting
To enhance visibility of helideck
Prototype testing underway in Morecambe Bay
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Prototype Helideck Lighting
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Helicopter Task Group
Improvements in Technology
HUMS Advanced Anomaly Detection (AAD)
Improved analysis of existing monitoring data collected during flight for
engine, gearbox etc
Existing HUMS detects approx 69% of defects
Advanced HUMS has demonstrated ~85%
All operators committed to implement advanced HUMS on UKCS
Discussions ongoing with manufacturers and helicopter operators
AAD available now on AW 139
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Helicopter Task Group. What did it achieve?
Enhanced training and Communication
Weather reporting standard and training
Two day training course developed
Standardised weather report form introduced
Emergency Response
Lessons learned event held
Industry Standard developed for relative responder training
Grampian Police developed new guidance on release of information to relatives
Vantage POB system
Improvements to ensure accuracy of information
Freezing of PAX lists 15 minutes prior to flight
Card readers offshore
Encouragement of Vantage use by all
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Helicopter Task Group. What did it achieve?
Enhanced training and Communication
Flight safety concerns communication guidelines
Developed in consultation with BALPA and helicopter operators
How to raise questions during or after a flight
Helicopter awareness course
1 day course for safety representatives
Run by helicopter operators at their premises
Address operations, maintenance and inspection routines
Helicopter operations DVD
Commuting by Air
Addresses commonly asked questions raised by workforce
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Questions?
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