Super Puma crash:Helicopter safety inquiry planned

AN inquiry is to be launched by a Commons committee in helicopter safety in the wake of a crash of a Super Puma off the Shetland Islands which claimed four lives last month.

Super Puma helicopters have been involved in a number of incidents in recent years. Picture: AFP

The Commons transport select committee is hold an inquiry into the fatal accident and other incidents amid concerns over the safety of the use of the Super Puma helicopter by the oil and gas industry.

Sarah Darnley, 45, of Elgin, Gary McCrossan, 59, from Inverness, Duncan Munro, 46, from Bishop Auckland, and George Allison, 57, from Winchester, lost their lives in the incident last month and the use of Super Pumas was temporarily suspended afterwards.

Labour’s committee chairwoman Louise Ellman said: “Any fatal accident is a cause for concern but there have been five helicopter accidents involving personnel from the oil and gas industry in the last four years, two of which caused multiple fatalities.

“We have heard worrying evidence that the workforce has lost confidence in the helicopters which they have no choice but to use. We want to look at what has gone wrong and whether the Government can do more to improve safety and protect the lives of offshore workers”.