Cougar Helicopters Flight 91
A similar Sikorsky S-92A belonging to Cougar Helicopters
Accident
Date12 March 2009
SummaryMain gearbox malfunction leading to collision with water
SiteAtlantic Ocean off Newfoundland, Canada
47°26′05″N 51°56′58″W / 47.43472°N 51.94944°W / 47.43472; -51.94944[1]
Aircraft
Aircraft typeSikorsky S-92A
OperatorCougar Helicopters
ICAO flight No.CHI91
Call signCOUGAR 91
RegistrationC-GZCH
Flight originSt. John's International Airport
DestinationSeaRose FPSO
Passengers16
Crew2
Fatalities17[1][2]
Injuries1
Survivors1

Cougar Helicopters Flight 91[1] was a scheduled flight of a Cougar Sikorsky S-92A (Registration C-GZCH)[3] which ditched on 12 March 2009 en route to the SeaRose FPSO in the White Rose oil field and Hibernia Platform in the Hibernia oilfield off the coast of Newfoundland 55 kilometres (34 mi) east-southeast of St. John's, Newfoundland. Of the eighteen aboard, only one survived.[4]

Aircraft

The 2006-built Sikorsky S-92A, with manufacturers' serial number 920048, was a 19-passenger helicopter powered by twin General Electric CT7 turboshaft engines.[5] It had been registered C-GZCH to Cougar International Inc. since 12 April 2007.[5] The main gearbox, which was reported as having lost oil pressure, couples both engines to the main and tail rotors, and also drives the hydraulic pumps and two electrical generators.

Flight

Cougar 91 is a regular 90-minute, 315 km shuttle flight from St. John's International Airport, usually servicing the SeaRose FPSO. The flight was carrying workers to SeaRose and the Hibernia platform.[6][7] The flight was under the command of Matthew Davis (34), with Tim Lanouette (47), as first officer.[8]

A mayday call was issued after the aircraft reported zero oil pressure in the main gearbox at 9:40 a.m. NDT (12:10 UTC). Flight 91 attempted to return to St. John's but went down at 9:48 a.m.[6][9][10] The aircraft was spotted, floating upside down, by a Provincial Airlines ice patrol airplane 25 minutes later. It later sank in 178 metres (584 ft) of water.[11][12] Only one of the eighteen people aboard survived the sinking, although another managed to exit the aircraft.

Search and rescue

Weather conditions were reported as "good", with the water at 0 °C (32 °F), waves at 2–3 metres (7–10 ft), and winds at 37 kilometres per hour (23 mph). The normal practice on these flights is to wear immersion suits for hypothermia protection.[13] Survival times for adult men wearing the immersion suits in these conditions are estimated at 24 hours, but no signals had been received from the suit locator beacons.[9][14] All passengers on these flights are required to have taken a five-day escape and survival course within the past three years, but escape from a ditched helicopter is difficult even when put down gently.

Eighteen people were on board the helicopter. The sole survivor was flown to hospital at St. John's in critical but stable condition with fractures and with salt water in his lungs.[7] One woman was found dead on the surface. Two life rafts were found empty. The Canadian Coast Guard, Canadian Forces, Provincial Airlines planes and surface vessels continued to search the area for additional survivors.[10]

Investigation

The investigation was led by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), which assigned an initial team of twelve investigators, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. As the state of manufacture, the United States was represented by eight investigators, from the National Transportation Safety Board, assisted by the FAA and Sikorsky.

Recovery phase

The TSB used two remotely operated vehicles (ROVs),[10] operating from Atlantic Osprey, to locate and examine the sunken aircraft, which was found on the bottom largely intact but with significant structural damage, and with the tail boom broken off and lying separately nearby.[15][16] The damage to the airframe was severe enough to prevent immediate recovery of the wreckage as originally planned,[17] and efforts instead focused on recovering the remains of the passengers and crew. Images from the ROVs indicated the presence of between 10 and 13 bodies in the aircraft fuselage. Nine bodies were recovered from the wreckage on 14–15 March and were returned to St. John's in the early hours of 16 March aboard Atlantic Osprey. On 17 March, the TSB announced that all bodies had been recovered, as were the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). The S-92 FDR/CVR is one box called a Multi-Purpose Flight Recorder, commonly referred to as a "combi-unit", manufactured by Penny and Giles in the United Kingdom. The FDR/CVR was transferred to Ottawa, Ontario for analysis by TSB personnel.[8] On 18 March Atlantic Osprey docked in St. John's carrying the main chassis of the helicopter in a basket on deck.[18] The TSB's lead investigator indicated on 19 March that about 80% of the wreckage had already been recovered;[19][20] by 26 March this figure had been increased to 95%.[21]

Inspection, analysis, and recommendations

TSB identified a broken titanium stud as part of the gearbox oil filter assembly. Sikorsky had previously recommended that the titanium stud be replaced with a steel stud within one year or 1,250 flight hours of a 28 January 2009 Alert Service Bulletin, following a total loss of oil and emergency landing in Australia in August 2008.[22] On 21 March Les Dorr, a spokesman for the FAA, indicated that it would release an Airworthiness Directive calling for the replacement of the studs on other S-92A aircraft, most likely on Monday 23 March, but that the directive would apply only to US-registered helicopters.[23] The FAA had issued previous Airworthiness Directives AD 2005-12-03, AD 2006-11-14, and AD 2006-15-19 for problems with the main gearbox of that type. Archived 15 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine The FAA had also issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) number SW-09-19 Sikorsky S92A Main Gearbox Emergency Procedures dated 19 March 2009. The SAIB indicated that a recent procedural change, Sikorsky Safety Advisory (SSA) SSA-S92-08-006, dated 26 September 2008 may not have been appropriate and that it had not been approved.[24] The European Aviation Safety Agency had already acted to highlight this problem.

Late on 23 March, Sikorsky issued a news release indicating that it had furnished replacement studs and tools to all operators and that 50 of 91 aircraft had been reworked already.[25] The FAA later grounded flights until the parts had been replaced,[26] issuing Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2009-07-53 Archived 30 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine dated 23 March that required the replacement of the studs before further flight.

TSB disclosed at a news conference on 26 March that the flight data record indicated that oil pressure was lost, but that there was no anomaly other than the broken stud to explain that loss. The aircraft descended at 1,000 feet per minute (5.1 m/s). The aircraft lost electrical power, interrupting the data record. Damage analysis indicated that it struck the water belly-down and tail first with an acceleration of 20 g (20 times that of the Earth's gravity).[21][27]

In 2003, the S-92A initially failed a FAR/JAR-29 additional oil system loss of lubrication test (sometimes called the "run dry" test) conducted to determine whether it could sustain 30-minute operation without main gearbox lubrication, failing after 10 minutes.[28] Subsequent design changes implemented an oil cooler bypass valve to eliminate what were seen to be the most likely sources of leakage, the cooler and external lines and fittings. Certification was obtained without meeting the 30-minute test as the chances of oil loss were calculated as being "extremely remote",[29] a statistical chance of failure of approximately one in every 10 million flight hours. This was based on the erroneous assumption that all leaks would occur from the oil cooler, and so did not represent the type of leak that occurred to Flight 91 or to a CHC S-92A in Australia the previous year.[30][31]

All offshore helicopter flights from St Johns were suspended following the accident. Regular passenger flights to the platforms resumed on Monday, 18 May 2009; Cougar Helicopters is limiting the maximum altitude for passenger flights to 2,133.6 metres (7,000 ft) as an additional safety precaution.[32]

On 16 June 2009, the FAA released an additional Airworthiness Directive, AD 2009-13-01, requiring the Rotorcraft Flight Manual for the S-92A helicopter be modified to clarify emergency procedures in the event of a main gearbox failure due to loss of oil pressure, and in particular to identify the urgency of an immediate landing in the event of an oil pressure loss.[33][34]

The TSB issued an update on the investigation on 18 June 2009, indicating that the pilot may have been trying to perform a controlled landing at the time of the accident. The main blades were apparently rotating at the time of impact; however, the tail rotor drive gears were severely damaged, which would result in a loss of thrust. An engine shutdown was initiated at an altitude of 500 feet (150 m), consistent with a tail rotor drive failure. The TSB was continuing to investigate the failure of the flotation system, which reportedly had been activated but did not operate correctly.[35][36]

The Inquiry Commissioner took some interim measures to secure improved emergency response times in the North West Atlantic pending completion of the Commission's Report.[37]

On 23 October 2009, the European Aviation Safety Agency issued an airworthiness directive in response to the discovery of cracks in the mounting bolts of the main gearbox of S-92 helicopters operating in the North Sea.[38]

On 9 February 2011, the Transportation Safety Board released its final report[39] on the accident. It identified 16 separate factors that led to the fatal crash but no single one was to blame.[40]

Inquiry and lawsuit

In June 2009, the sole survivor and the families of the 15 passengers who died in the accident filed a U.S lawsuit against Sikorsky and its subsidiary Keystone Helicopter Corporation.[41] On 14 July, the complainants announced that they had "voluntarily discontinued" legal action "to engage in alternative dispute resolution before further litigation".[42] On 5 January 2010, lawyers for Sikorsky announced that an out-of-court settlement had been reached with the survivor and the families of the victims of the crash. The details of the settlement were not disclosed due to confidentiality agreements.[43]

A public Commission of Inquiry into the accident (the Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry), headed by retired Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court judge Robert Wells, began hearings in Newfoundland on 19 October 2009.[44] Robert Decker, the survivor of the accident, gave testimony at the inquiry in early November.[45] The families of the victims of the accident, as well as lawyers representing the estates of the pilots, were allowed to ask questions at the inquiry.[46][47] The Inquiry delivered its Phase I report to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board on 17 November 2010.[48] Phase II of the report was delivered to the C-NLOPB on 15 August 2011.[49]

In June 2010, Cougar Helicopters and its insurer filed a lawsuit against the aircraft manufacturer (Sikorsky), requesting more than $25 million in damages. The lawsuit alleged that Sikorsky "fraudulently misrepresented" the ability of the S-92 helicopter to run for 30 minutes after losing oil pressure, and further failed to notify operators of the severity of a similar incident in Australia in 2008.[50] Sikorsky had argued to move the legal proceedings to Connecticut, but this move was denied by the Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal on 4 July 2010, and the case proceeded in court in St. John's.[51] The lawsuit against Sikorsky was settled out of court in November 2011; the details of the settlement were not disclosed by either party.[52]

Casualties

Pilot Matthew William Thomas Davis, 34, of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador and First Officer Timothy (Tim) Ross Lanouette, 47, of Comox, British Columbia both died in the accident. Of the fifteen passengers killed in the accident, thirteen were from Newfoundland and Labrador while one each was from Nova Scotia and British Columbia. The sole surviving passenger sustained serious injuries in the crash, following his escape.[53]

Television episode

The accident is featured in the Mayday episode "Atlantic Ditching".[54]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "CADORS report for Cougar Helicopters (CHI91)". Transport Canada.
  2. ↑ Ljunggren, David (13 March 2009). "Update 2-No more survivors in Canada chopper crash, 17 dead". Reuters. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  3. ↑ "NTSB to help investigate Cougar S-92 loss". Shephard. 13 March 2009. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  4. ↑ "Cougar Helicopters Inc. Press Release" (PDF). Cougar Helicopters Inc. 13 March 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 March 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  5. 1 2 Transport Canada Civil Aircraft Register C-GZCH
  6. 1 2 "Oil industry helicopter carrying 18 crashes into Atlantic Ocean". CBC News. 12 March 2009. Archived from the original on 13 October 2011.
  7. 1 2 "One rescued so far after helicopter crash". CTV News. 12 March 2009.
  8. 1 2 "Black box, final bodies recovered from helicopter wreckage". CBC News. 17 March 2009.
  9. 1 2 Tara Brautigam (12 March 2009). "Chopper ditching off N.L. recalls past tragedies, search continues for 16". The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  10. 1 2 3 "ROVs to be used to view sunken helicopter". St. John's: The Telegram. 13 March 2009. Archived from the original on 15 March 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  11. ↑ "No sign of further survivors from ditched Cougar helicopter". The Telegram. St. John's. Archived from the original on 13 March 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  12. ↑ Moira Baird; Peter Walsh; Rob Antle. "Rescue efforts continue". The Telegram. St. John's. Archived from the original on 15 March 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  13. ↑ "Oil rig ferry chopper ditches in Atlantic with 18 on board". The Canadian Press. 12 March 2009. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
  14. ↑ "Helicopter Immersion Suit". St. John's: Cougar Helicopters. Archived from the original on 16 February 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
  15. ↑ "Update: TSB confirms downed Cougar helicopter fuselage located". St. John's: The Telegram. 14 March 2009. Archived from the original on 16 March 2009. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  16. ↑ Tara Brautigam (13 March 2009). "Investigators say they've found wreckage of downed chopper off N.L." The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  17. ↑ Tara Brautigam; Michael Tutton (13 March 2009). "TSB to try to raise wrecked helicopter from ocean floor". St. John's: The Telegram. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on 15 March 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  18. ↑ "Ship carrying helicopter wreckage arrives in St. John's". CBC News. 18 March 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2009.
  19. ↑ "Investigators expect N.L. crash impressions by next week". CBC News. 19 March 2009. Retrieved 19 March 2009.
  20. ↑ "Update: Investigators retrieve significant items of helicopter wreckage". The Telegram. 19 March 2009. Archived from the original on 22 March 2009. Retrieved 19 March 2009.
  21. 1 2 "Offshore helicopter crashed belly first: TSB". CBC News. 26 March 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2009.
  22. ↑ "Broken mounting stud found in N.L. helicopter wreckage". CBC News. 20 March 2009.
  23. ↑ "U.S. FAA to issue order to replace part on chopper after crash off N.L." St. John's: The Telegram. The Canadian Press. 21 March 2009. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  24. ↑ "SAIB SW-09-19". rgl.faa.gov. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  25. ↑ Sikorsky (23 March 2009). "S-92(TM) helicopter operators complying worldwide with Sikorsky bulletin on gearbox oil bowl studs". CNW. Retrieved 23 March 2009.
  26. ↑ CBC News (24 March 2009). "Ground Sikorsky helicopters until parts replaced: FAA". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 March 2009.
  27. ↑ "TSB releases more details of crash, investigation". The Telegram. 26 March 2009. Archived from the original on 3 April 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2009.
  28. ↑ "Chopper in fatal crash failed safety test". Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  29. ↑ "Assessment of the Responses to Aviation Safety Recommendation A11-01". Archived from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  30. ↑ "Helicopter model in offshore crash flunked safety test: report". CBC News. 6 April 2009. Retrieved 6 April 2009.
  31. ↑ Cheney, Peter (6 April 2009). "Doomed helicopter failed vital safety test, files reveal". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 6 April 2009. (subscription site)
  32. ↑ "Offshore flights resume for first time since March helicopter crash". CBC News. 18 May 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
  33. ↑ "Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S- 92A". rgl.faa.gov. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  34. ↑ "FAA orders flight manual change after crash off Newfoundland". CBC News. 17 June 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  35. ↑ "Chopper may have crashed during attempt at controlled landing: TSB". CBC News. 18 June 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
  36. ↑ Government of Canada, Transportation Safety Board of Canada (16 June 2009). "Transportation Safety Board of Canada - Aviation news release 2009". www.tsb.gc.ca. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  37. ↑ "N.L. offshore board orders quick safety fixes". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 February 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  38. ↑ "Emergency Airworthiness Directive # 2009-0230-E" Archived 6 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.com, 23 October 2009. Access date: 2 November 2009.
  39. ↑ TSB Accident Investigation Report A09A0016
  40. ↑ "Investigator wants tighter helicopter standards" Archived 15 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine.The Globe and Mail, 9 February 2011. Access date: 9 February 2011.
  41. ↑ "Families of N.L. chopper crash victims sue manufacturer". Canada.com; Canwest News Service. 17 June 2009. Archived from the original on 21 June 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  42. ↑ "Families of passengers on downed N.L. chopper 'voluntarily discontinue' lawsuit". The Canadian Press. 4 August 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  43. ↑ "Chopper maker settles with N.L. crash victims". CBC News. 5 January 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  44. ↑ "Helicopter safety inquiry to begin in St. John's". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 October 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2009.
  45. ↑ "N.L. crash survivor criticizes chopper, suits, training". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 5 November 2009. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
  46. ↑ "N.L. chopper inquiry to hear victims' families". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 11 August 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
  47. ↑ "N.L. crash inquiry allows lawyers for pilots' estates". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 August 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
  48. ↑ "Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry: main page". OHSI. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  49. ↑ "Wells poised to release Cougar follow-up". CBCNews. 15 August 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  50. ↑ "Cougar sues chopper-maker over deadly crash". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 August 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  51. ↑ "Sikorsky loses appeal in Cougar crash dispute". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  52. ↑ "Cougar settles lawsuit against chopper-maker Sikorsky". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 25 November 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  53. ↑ "Service to honour 17 killed in offshore helicopter crash". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 March 2009. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
  54. ↑ Cougar Helicopters Flight 91 at IMDb
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