27/04/2009

Super Puma's Return To BP Operations

Oil firm BP has resumed its use of Super Puma helicopters today, following the North Sea crash in which 16 people died.

Earlier this month, the aircraft were grounded by the European Aviation Safety Agency to allow safety inspections after the AS3332L2 model crashed on April 1.

Fourteen passengers and two crew members, who were on board the helicopter, died in the Bond accident.

Earlier this year, another model - the EC225LP - ditched into the North Sea, 125 miles east of Aberdeen. All 18 on board survived.

BP said checks had been completed on helicopters available, and it was resuming flying the aircraft from today.

It also said it was using CHC and Bristow for passenger operations, and not Bond, which operated the helicopter involved in the fatal crash.

An initial report into the crash, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) - which is being investigated by experts - gave the cause as a gearbox failure.

The funerals of the victims tool place last week. It followed a memorial service for the men in Aberdeen the previous week.

(JM/BMcC)

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