Industry news
Chopper ditching grounds flights
Posted Fri, 11 May 2012
The ditching of a helicopter in the North Sea has prompted Bond Aviation Group to stop further flights for safety reasons.
Fourteen men were rescued from life rafts after the helicopter's pilot was forced to make an emergency descent at about 12pm on Thursday.
The company confirmed that he was acting in response to an oil pressure warning light. All passengers and crew members were recovered safely.
After the incident nine men were airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and one man has been kept in for observation.
Despite the dramatic landing Consultant James Ferguson said the men were "in good spirits".
The helicopter had been travelling to Maersk Resilient rig and the Ensco 102 rig when it came down 25 miles (40km) off the coast of Aberdeen.
Bond Aviation Group has cited safety reasons for suspending all EC225 Super Puma helicopter flights until further notice.
Copyright Press Association 2012