CHC Scotia Flight 23R
| Industry | Aviation |
|---|---|
| Fate | Halted all Super Puma L2 operations worldwide following 2013 crash |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
On 23 August 2013, a Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma operated by CHC Scotia plunged into the sea near Sumburgh, Shetland Islands, during its return from the Borgsten Dolphin drilling platform. The incident claimed the lives of four passengers, while twelve passengers and two crew members survived with injuries. In 2017, an additional passenger died by suicide as a consequence of PTSD linked to the crash. The UK's Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) completed its investigation in 2016, concluding that pilot error—specifically neglecting to monitor instruments during the approach—was the primary cause. A public inquiry held in October 2020 upheld this conclusion.
Flight history
The journey began at Aberdeen Airport and included stops at two offshore installations to collect passengers: initially at the Total North Alwyn Platform, followed by the Borgsten Dolphin, with the Dunbar platform serving as an accommodation tender. The helicopter was scheduled to refuel at Sumburgh Airport before heading back to Aberdeen. Weather conditions at the time featured a gentle wind of 17 knots accompanied by mist.
Accident
Between 18:17 and 18:20 local time, while conducting a standard approach to Sumburgh Airport, the helicopter lost communication with air traffic control without issuing a distress call. The pilots attempted a controlled water landing roughly 1.5 to 2 nautical miles west of Sumburgh in the North Sea. The aircraft crashed and capsized during evacuation; subsequent discovery revealed it had broken apart against rocks at Garths Ness.
Data retrieved by the AAIB revealed that both engines remained operational until impact. Analysis from the manufacturer indicated that the helicopter entered a vortex ring state at low altitude, rendering the crash unavoidable.
Rescue operations
The rescue mission involved lifeboats from Lerwick and Aith operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, alongside the Sumburgh Coastguard helicopter. Additional assistance was provided by two Bond Offshore Helicopters aircraft, an RAF helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth, as well as the passenger ferry and cargo vessel . Coastguard Rescue Teams from various Shetland locations participated in transferring casualties, searching for missing persons, and recovering wreckage.
Twelve passengers and two crew members were saved and transported to Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick; however, one passenger succumbed en route. Lifeboats recovered two bodies from the sea, with another located within the wreckage.
Aftermath
In response to the accident, CHC Scotia halted all Super Puma L2 operations worldwide. The Helicopter Safety Steering Group advised grounding all four Super Puma variants due to safety concerns. On 10 September 2013, the Transport Select Committee initiated an inquiry into offshore helicopter safety in the North Sea.
Investigation
The crash was examined by Police Scotland alongside the AAIB. By 5 September 2013, investigators reported no indication of mechanical failure causing the event; wreckage and flight recorders remained under analysis. A delayed inquiry conducted in October 2020 by Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle determined that pilot error was chiefly responsible for the crash.