Make offshore oil choppers safer now, says TSB

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada wants helicopters used by the offshore oil industry be able to fly for at least 30 minutes after a catastrophic oil loss.

"For those who rely on these helicopters today and in the future, the TSB needs a firm commitment that they will all be capable of flying for at least 30 minutes following a massive loss of main gearbox oil," TSB Chair Wendy Tadros said in a news release Thursday.

Organizations that certify helicopters in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, have all agreed to review helicopter certification rules.

"It is going to take more than promises to solve the safety problems we found," said Tadros.

"We need firm commitments and action to make these helicopters safer."

Thursday's comments are an unexpected followup to the TSB’s report on the crash of a Sikorsky S–92A helicopter east of St. John’s on March 12, 2009.

Seventeen people died in that crash. The TSB’s report following its investigation into what happened was released in February.

'Over the next six months, the TSB will be watching closely for regulators to follow through on the promises they made.' —TSB Chair Wendy Tadros

The board concluded that the immediate cause of the disaster was the failure of titanium studs, which led to a loss of oil from the chopper’s gearbox but the board is still concerned that helicopters used to fly workers offshore from Newfoundland can’t stay airborne for long after losing oil pressure.

"Today's S–92As can still only fly for 11 minutes in the event of a total loss of oil … that is why the board is seeking prompt clarification from the Federal Aviation Administration on whether it will require improvements to the S-92A's main gearbox,"  said Tadros.

The FAA originally certified the S–92A so it continues to oversee its specifications.

On measures aimed at improving survival after a helicopter is forced to ditch in the ocean, Transport Canada has said it will initiate a focus group of industry stakeholders to review two TSB recommendations that were made after the crash.

"At the end of the day, Canadians need to know that helicopters will not operate if the seas are too rough for their emergency flotation systems. In addition, all those who travel to Canada's offshore will now have an emergency underwater breathing apparatus," Tadros said.

"Over the next six months, the TSB will be watching closely for regulators to follow through on the promises they made. We will be looking for clear commitments and action plans to ensure these important safety issues are squarely addressed."

The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences.