North Sea Review
In the wake of five accidents in the past four years, including two fatal accidents, North Sea helicopter operations are under review by a team of regulators and aviation experts.
The review — by the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the European Aviation Safety Agency and the Norwegian CAA, along with a panel of independent experts — is focusing on current operations, past incidents and accidents, and offshore helicopter operations in other countries. It will conclude with recommendations aimed at improving the safety of helicopter operations.
“The recent accidents have understandably given rise to concerns, particularly with offshore workers who rely so heavily on these helicopter flights,” said Mark Swan, director of the U.K. CAA Safety and Airspace Regulation Group. “We are absolutely committed to ensuring that operations are as safe as possible.”
In announcing the review, the U.K. CAA noted that the five accidents — each involving a Eu…
