AS3B, vicinity Den Helder Netherlands, 2006

AS3B, vicinity Den Helder Netherlands, 2006

Summary

On 21 November 2006, the crew of a Bristow Eurocopter AS332 L2 making an unscheduled passenger flight from an offshore platform to Den Helder in night VMC decided to ditch their aircraft after apparent malfunction of an engine and the flight controls were perceived as rendering it unable to safely complete the flight. All 17 occupants survived but the evacuation was disorganised and both oversight of the operation by and the actions of the crew were considered to have been inappropriate in various respects. Despite extensive investigation, no technical fault which would have rendered it unflyable could be confirmed.

Description

On 21 November 2006, a UK-registered Eurocopter AS332 L2 being operated by Bristow Helicopters on an unscheduled passenger flight from a Dutch offshore platform K15B to Den Helder in night Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) made a controlled ditching after the crew perceived flight control difficulties which would preclude the completion of the flight. A PAN and subsequently a MAYDAY were declared. All 17 occupants were subsequently located and rescued and just one sustained a minor injury.

The helicopter as eventually washed ashore following the accident (Reproduced from the Official Report)

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Dutch Safety Board. Their investigation - and the resulting Final Report - was concerned not only with the immediate malfunctions which led the aircraft commander to decide to ditch the aircraft and the consequences which followed but also with the circumstances which led to the flight being conducted. The latter aspects are not covered by this summary. Whilst the Investigation was in progress, a ‘Preliminary Report’ was published on 21 December 2006 followed by an ‘Intermediate Report’ on 29 March 2007. The aircraft was fitted with a combined CVFDR which was recovered and successfully downloaded.

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