AN international review of North Sea helicopter safety was branded “too little, too late” last night by a pilots organisation.
The British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) said the Civil Aviation Authority was not the “right body” to carry out the investigation – because it failed fully to understand the human factors which drive safety.
Balpa officials made the claims after the authority announced yesterday that it was reviewing helicopter safety in conjunction with the Norwegian CAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The move follows five North Sea Super Puma accidents in the last four years, the last of which was off the coast of Shetland on August 23 and claimed four lives.
Advised by a panel of independent experts, the group will study current operations, previous incidents and accidents and offshore helicopter flying in other countries before making recommendations aimed at improving safety. The review will pay particular attention to operators’ decision-making and internal management, the protection of passengers and crew, pilot training and performance and helicopter airworthiness.
But critics said it was “no substitute” for a full, independent judicial-led public inquiry, similar to Lord Cullen’s investigation into the Piper Alpha disaster 25 years ago.
A spokesman for Balpa said: “We will consult with those members currently operating in the North Sea as to their views on the effectiveness of a CAA-led review, but our immediate reaction is this is too little, too late.
‘Firstly, the CAA has not shown itself adept at getting below the surface of industry, the real-life experience of pilots and understanding the human factors that drive safety.
“Nothing in today’s announcement gives us confidence that this has changed.”
The spokesman said a review must examine the totality of the “commercial cut-throat business” in the North Sea, not just helicopters, in addition to the role of the aviation regulator.
“Balpa has called on the government to set up a judicial-led independent review along the lines of the post-Piper Alpha inquiry led by Lord Cullen,” he added.
“This announcement by the CAA does not do it for us.”
Bob Crow, general secretary of offshore union RMT, said the CAA investigation must be seen as an “addition and not a substitute” for a full public inquiry into the helicopter crash last month.
“We are also demanding an investigation into North Sea safety which extends beyond just the use of helicopters but which covers every aspect of the offshore working environment,” he added.
The findings of CAA’s review, led by flight operations head Captain Bob Jones who will work closely with Geir Hamre, head of helicopter safety for the Norwegian CAA, is expected to be published early next year.
Mark Swan, director of the CAA’s safety and airspace regulation group, said: “The recent accidents have understandably given rise to concerns, particularly with offshore workers who rely so heavily on these helicopter flights.
“We are absolutely committed to ensuring that operations are as safe as possible.
“The review we are announcing today will thoroughly examine the risks and hazards of operating in the North Sea and how these can be managed most effectively.”
North-east MSP Richard Baker is leading a debate on helicopter safety at Holyrood tomorrow and will focus on the need to speed up the process of fatal accident inquiries.
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