All Cougar helicopter flights to and from the offshore were cancelled Thursday following a fatal helicopter crash in the North Sea.
One person died Wednesday as the result of the crash of a search and rescue helicopter involved in a training exercise about 15 nautical miles off the coast of Norway. There were six crew members on board at the time.
The Sikorsky S-92, the same model used by Cougar, was operated by charter company Bristow Norway AS and was performing a rescue training assignment for Equinor.
The flight cancellations were a precaution. They appear to have since resumed, according to Cougar’s website.
Equinor CEO Anders Opedal issued a statement following the incident, calling it “a difficult day for many.” He offered his thoughts for the families, loved ones and colleagues of those affected.
He says the company’s key task now is to take care of those involved.
The province is just days away from marking the 15th anniversary of the crash of Cougar Flight 491 which ditched in the ocean off St. John’s on March 12, 2009, claiming the lives of 17 of the 18 passengers and crew on board at the time.
It was discovered that the gearbox on the Sikorsky S-92A had lost oil pressure and failed despite the fact that it was supposed to have had a 30-minute run dry time.
