Offshore helicopter safety

Offshore helicopters in the UK are primarily operated within the offshore oil and gas industry on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) in the North Sea. In 2018, there were 70 active aircraft in the UKCS helicopter fleet, made up of 6 airframe types.

Since 1997, four fatal accidents havce claimed the lviers of 38 offshore workers and flight crew, and there have been 16 non-fatal accidents. 2017 was an accident-free year in offshore helicopter operations.

Given the tragic history of fatal accidents in the sector, the safety standards of offshore helicopters have been an ongoing concern. These concerns were brought to the fore following the tragic August 2013 accident in which a Super Puma helicopter crashed into the sea while on approach to Sumburgh Airport on Shetland, killing four passengers. Several reviews, groups and initiatives were launched in the aftermath of that accident and are briefly outlined in this paper.