Safety Topics: Super Puma in the Shetlands Available to Purchase

HAVING left Aberdeen and flown to two semi‐submersible rigs in the East Shetland basin, the helicopter was refuelled and departed for the return flight to Aberdeen with 18 passengers. After flying for about an hour and when the aircraft was 128 n miles from Aberdeen and 48 n miles from Sumburgh, three distinct ‘thumps’ were felt throughout the airframe. The commander turned the aircraft towards Sumburgh and almost immediately severe vibration developed, loss of control was feared and immediate plans for ditching were made. The commander had lowered the collective pitch lever and heard the high rotor rpm audio warning indicating a rotor speed (NR) of at least 290 rpm. He re‐applied about 12.5° of collective‐pitch and found that the level of vibration reduced and therefore he decided to try to maintain flight and make for the nearest land.