Offshore chopper safety inquiry opens in Newfoundland

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – The first phase of an inquiry into offshore helicopter safety, sparked by the crash of a helicopter with the loss of 17 lives last March, began Monday in St. John’s, N.L.

Inquiry commissioner Robert Wells delivered his opening remarks while inquiry lawyers outlined the evidence to be presented in the days and weeks to come.

The inquiry was expected to begin with the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board’s explanation of its role in offshore safety.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada was next expected to outline its investigation of the chain of events that led up to the March 12, 2009 crash of a Sikorsky S-92A operated by Cougar Helicopters. Seventeen people died en route to the Hibernia and White Rose oilfields when the helicopter ditched into the ocean 55 kilometres east of St. John’s.

One person, Robert Decker, survived.

Transport Canada is expected to provide information to the inquiry on the licensing of aircraft and pilots, and the Department of National Defence is expected to submit a statement on search and rescue capabilities.

Other witnesses will be announced later.

The inquiry’s mandate is to find ways to make offshore helicopter transportation safer. It was established following the crash.

The inquiry hearings are being webcast on the commission’s website: http://www.oshsi.nl.ca.

Sixteen people, organizations and companies have standing to participate in the inquiry. It entitles them to attend the hearings, obtain information, question witnesses and present evidence.

Among those with standing are lawyers for the victims of the crash, oil companies, the union for more than 600 offshore workers, companies that manufacture safety equipment and provide training and St. John’s East MP Jack Harris.

Wells must file a report by March 31, 2010.

The second phase begins when the TSB issues its findings – an investigation report that could take up to two years from the date of the helicopter crash to complete.