Probable lightning strike forces Cougar helicopter to return to base
None of the 13 people onboard flight injured
A Cougar Helicopters flight was forced to return to base in St John's after it was likely hit by lightning, authorities said Wednesday.
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board said that Cenovus Energy reported that flight 881 on Friday was travelling at about 5,000 feet, and carrying 11 offshore workers and two flight crew, when they heard a loud bang followed by a flash of light.
The company is the majority owner and operator of the White Rose field in the Jeanne d'Arc Basin, about 350 kilometres off the east coast of Newfoundland. It is also a partner in the Terra Nova field.
In a news release, the offshore regulator said the helicopter was escorted back to St. John's by search and rescue, where it landed safely.
The C-NLOPB said inspectors examined all other helicopters operating in the offshore area that same day, looking for evidence of a lightning strike, but found nothing.
No one was injured in the incident. The regulator said Cenovus Energy and Cougar Helicopters are investigating.
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