Chopper down, 8 dead

[cheets]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7977095.stm

2nd one thats gone down in the passed few months, must be nerving for the people that work on oil rigs off the coast.

Isnt this what bigstan does?

[Stan_Lite]

It's something that's always in ones mind but we try not to dwell on it too much, otherwise we wouldn't do it. Under normal circumstances, flying in a chopper isn't too bad - I usually sleep most of the way.

We always get concerned when something like this happens and it brings home to one the dangers involved in this business - but the statistics are still on my side - for now.

As always, I mourn the loss of life and grieve for the families of the bereaved. We tend to be quite emotional about this kind of thing offshore as we realise that it could well be us next time.

Most importantly - I'M STILL ALIVE :D

[Garp]

From something they were discussing on the Buzz Out Loud podcast yesterday about comparative safety of helicopters i did some digging around.

http://www.vtol.org/pdf/IHSSSummary.pdf

"What is the helicopter accident rate? Mike Kriebel, senior vice president of Aviation Underwriters Association, offered several benchmarks. Based on 2004 U. S. rates (an estimated 2,225,000 total flight hours), the U.S. civil helicopter accident rate per 100,000 flight hours is 8.09 (fatal accident rate is 1.48). The U.S. civil turbine helicopter accident rate is 5.11 (the fatal accident rate is 1.21). The “on demand” (Part 135) air taxi accident rate is 2.21 (the fatal accident rate is 0.78.) Mr. Kriebel observed that insurance rates for the helicopter industry are high because the accident rate is high. And many insurers will refuse altogether to cover what they perceive to be high-risk helicopter operations.

By comparison, the U.S. Air Carrier (Part 121) accident rate is only 0.159 (the fatal accident rate is 0.011). Another relevant comparison is that of 2004 U.S. general aviation accident statistics to civil helicopter statistics. These show that the G.A. rate is 6.22 as opposed to 8.09 for helicopters (in other words, the helicopter accident rate is 30 percent higher). If we are to reduce the helicopter accident rate by 80 percent, we must bring it down to 1.62 / 100,000 flight hours."

just slightly more risky :D

[KennyBhoy]

Tragic loss of life and so soon after the last accident.

Stan - You sleep? How long is the average flight?

[Knipples]

Glad you're safe Stan, even though i've never met you, you are always the first person I think of when I hear about stories like this.

[Stan_Lite]

From something they were discussing on the Buzz Out Loud podcast yesterday about comparative safety of helicopters i did some digging around.



just slightly more risky :D

With respect to our colonial cousins, one of the things I've noticed since I started working abroad is that our American friends have a much more cavalier attitude towards safety and some of the things they consider acceptable would be considered anathema to us who are used to working in the North Sea. Sometimes, it seems as if the safety restrictions are overdone but, when one sees incidents like the one in the OP, one welcomes any measure which may help one survive.

STILL ALIVE AND LOVIN' IT :D

[Stan_Lite]

Today I flew from the rig to Alexandria, which took about 45 minutes and then from Alex to Cairo, which took about an hour. It's not a bad trip really, it just takes a bit of getting used to. I actually sleep most of the way - I have difficulty sleeping on a plane but within 5 minutes of getting on the chopper, I'm in the land of nod.

I'm flattered and chuffed you think about me Knippppppppppples, I'm used to it now so I rarely think about the risks. The whole business is risky, we accept that fact and try to minimise the risks in everything we do - including flying. You wouldn't believe the safety systems we have on board the rig.

At the end of the day, we work in a highly dangerous environment, we get paid fairly well for doing so and we take every possible precaution to avoid any unpleasantness.

[iCraig]

Slightly on/off topic but I saw the engineering connections documentary the other day about the Troll A platform. Quite amazing how it stands and how it was made. Do you get to go to the bottom of the "legs" of these things much Stan?

[Knipples]

I'm flattered and chuffed you think about me Knippppppppppples,

:) Tis true, I meant it.
Would have PM'ed you this evening if you hadnt posted, the same as I have been thinking/worried about those people I know who have to work in London, and could have been caught up in todays goings on. It's just the way I am sadly.

[vix]

I must admit I thought of Stan when I heard about this too! Thoughts go to the families of those involved though :/

Stan, what company do you work for? We have some big contracts with a lot of oil riggy companies, and whenever I do a bill I often wonder if it's a company you work for.

[Garp]

There is something very important to note that statistics don't tell you.

Flying a helicopter requires much more skill. It's a much more precise vehicle, capable of far more than any mere aircraft and used for complicated tasks; thus it's much more susceptible to crashing.

[Fayshun]

Flying a helicopter requires much more skill.

Rubbish, if you can rub your belly and pat your head at the same time, you can fly a chopper!! ;D

[KennyBhoy]

The chances of finding any survivors is "extremely bleak" according to the Scottish First Minister. So the number dead will actually be double if true. :(

[Goose]

It's all apples and oranges. Helicopters are more sensitive, so on the one hand they are easier when recovering from certain situations, but then it's easier to get into certain situations too.

I've only got a few hours in a whirly thing though. I was once told, as soon as a helicopter is build every single component wants to escape. Nice thought, when you are hovering...

Glad you're safe, Dad.

[NokkonWud]

Very sad :/. Glad it's not you though big man.

[Fayshun]

Rear Admiral Sir Fayshun the First, R.N. Rtd. (a.k.a. my dad) says helicopters don't really fly, it's mass hallucination.

[Greenlizard0]

Ah no...RIP :(

[Psymonkee]

So sad :(

Hits close to home for me particularly as an ex colleague of mine was due to fly out yesterday iirc....