Today marks the 15th anniversary of the most tragic incident in the province’s offshore since the Ocean Ranger disaster.
Seventeen lives were lost when Cougar Flight 491—en route to the offshore—had to ditch in the ocean. The flight crew were alerted to oil loss in the main gear box so the flight headed back to base in St. John’s, but despite the 30-minute run-dry time the helicopter was supposed to have had, it didn’t make it back to shore.
A memorial service is planned for this evening at 7:00 at Elim Pentecostal Church in St. John’s.
Energy NL CEO Charlene Johnson says Flight 491 has had a “lasting and far-reaching impact” on the province and offshore industry.
