In all three cases, the helicopters were operated by the company Bristow writes Bergens Tidende.
Last summer, an engine on a Sikorsky S-92A failed shortly after takeoff from an oil platform on the Ekofisk field. There they had picked up several passengers. It was decided to fly on one engine to Stavanger Airport.
In autumn 2021, another S-92A suffered a loss of oil pressure in the main gearbox while on a training mission. The helicopter managed to land on the oil platform.
And in 2020, an S-92 was on its way back to Sola from the North Sea when warning lights about loss of oil pressure in the main gearbox came on. The helicopter managed to fly on to Sola.
No one was injured in any of these accidents, while one person died in yesterday’s accident.
Delivery problems
The Sikorsky S-92 is practically dominant in helicopter traffic offshore in Norway.
At the same time, it is known that the helicopter manufacturer has delivery problems, which are due, among other things, to the pandemic and that a lack of titanium has made it difficult to produce the parts.
Throughout the autumn, the helicopter companies in Norway have therefore struggled to obtain spare parts for the Sikorsky S-92. Several machines are set on the ground.
Equinor has started the process of bringing in a new type of helicopter for the Norwegian continental shelf – the Leonardo AW 139.
In January, it became clear that they have assigned Lufttransport RW AS the task of operating two new search and rescue helicopters (SAR) for the Troll and Oseberg area. One will also be used for passenger transport to and from Equinor’s platforms.
The new helicopters will nevertheless not be ready for operation until 2026.
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