On 28 February, a helicopter crashed outside Sotra. There were six people on board. One of the dead. The helicopter was on a rescue exercise, and the accident occurred while retrieving a practice buoy. Equinor has now investigated the accident. It was the main rescue center that managed and carried out the rescue operation in connection with the accident. The investigation group has nevertheless found a need for certain improvements related to Equinor’s preparedness. In the investigation report, they come up with five different safety recommendations: Clearer procedures for when the SAR crew must unfasten the seat belt Review of the personal protective equipment for SAR crew Reintroduce more frequent pool training (including helicopter capsizing) Use of the same protective equipment for pool training as that used in the helicopter More realistic pool training . Here is the wreckage. Photo: Oddgeir Øystese / news The helicopter wreck is inside a hangar at Haakonsvern, the navy’s main base, located in Bergen. Photo: Oddgeir Øystese / news The fact that the helicopter is almost complete may indicate that there was little force in the collision with the water’s surface. Photo: Oddgeir Øystese / news The tail rotor is damaged. Photo: Oddgeir Øystese / news This is what the front of the helicopter wreck looks like. Photo: Oddgeir Øystese / news The helicopter lay with its back down towards the seabed. Photo: Oddgeir Øystese / news The lifting of the helicopter was difficult, according to the Accident Investigation Board. They had to make two attempts. Photo: Oddgeir Øystese / news In March, Equinor’s CEO signed a mandate to investigate the helicopter accident. The purpose has been to ensure learning from the incident and to identify measures to improve the company’s work with SAR helicopter safety on the Norwegian continental shelf – with a particular focus on accident preparedness. The National Accident Investigation Board is responsible for finding the cause of the accident. Published 24.06.2024, at 12.20 Updated 24.06.2024, at 12.28
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