Members Of Transport Select Committee Said Accidents Are Too Common

Members of the British Parliament (MPs) serving on the Commons Transport Select Committee have opened an investigation into an accident involving a helicopter carrying offshore oil workers back in August. Four people on board the Super Puma were fatally injured when it went down in the North Sea.

The committee members traveled to Aberdeen to gather evidence from the accident, which was the fifth in four years, according to the BBC. The committee will hold an open evidence session next Monday at Aberdeen University, according to the report. They will also meet with aircraft manufacturers and operators.

In this particular accident, a Super Puma was transporting oil workers to the Shetland Isles when it went down. "Helicopter accidents in the offshore sector is a major cause for concern," said Louise Ellman MP, chair of the Transport Committee. "After the events of last summer involving helicopter fatalities off the Shetland Isles, the Committee decided to look closely at what might be done to curb the risks that offshore workers face from helicopter transport. We are coming to Aberdeen to hear from workers themselves, oil and gas firms, helicopter manufacturers, operators and pilots.”

The accident occurred while the aircraft was approaching the Sumburgh Airport on August 23 last year.

(Super Puma image from file. Not accident aircraft)

FMI: www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/transport-committee/