At 1255 hrs UTC on Wednesday 1 April 2009 a brief Mayday call was
transmitted by the crew of a Super Puma (AS332 L2) helicopter when it was
approximately 11 nm NE of Peterhead, Scotland on a flight from BP's Miller
Oil Platform to Aberdeen. The helicopter, operated by Bond Offshore
Helicopters, carrying 2 crew and 14 passengers, was then seen to descend
rapidly and impact the surface of the sea. The weather conditions at the time
were benign. Search and rescue efforts to date have not recovered any
survivors.
The AAIB despatched a team of investigators and support staff, who arrived in
Aberdeen later on 1 April. In accordance with normal protocols, the AAIB
have invited representatives from the French accident investigation authority;
Eurocopter (the helicopter manufacturer), the European Aviation Safety
Agency and the UK Civil Aviation Authority to participate in the investigation.
Preparations are currently under way to locate and recover the combined
Voice and Flight Data Recorder and the wreckage which, after an initial
inspection, will be returned to the AAIB facilities at Farnborough for detailed
examination.
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