| Offshore helicopter safety inquiry |
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Twenty-eight-year-old Robert Decker — the sole survivor of the March 12, 2009, Sikorsky S-92A helicopter crash off Newfoundland that claimed the lives of 17 people — testified before a packed room and national television at the offshore helicopter safety inquiry Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, in St. John's.
Decker told an incredible story — from his description of the moments leading up to the crash of Cougar Helicopters’ Flight 491, to being underwater in a swiftly descending helicopter, to his escape from the helicoper, ascent to the surface and waiting for rescue.
His statements on safety issues, training and survival are key to the inquiry headed by Commissioner Robert Wells.
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Update: New survival suit expected to be approved by end of the week, inquiry told  
Helly Hansen’s operations manager told the inquiry into offshore helicopter safety today he expects Transport Canada to approve a new survival suit by the end of the week.
“We are making plans for flight later this week, pending the final approval,” said Mark Collins.
(more)
18/11/09 1:30 PM
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Underwater escape breathing device was part of survival suit contract, Wells inquiry told 1
Helly Hansen Canada Ltd. explained to the inquiry into offshore helicopter safety today how it won the contract to supply and maintain 1,200 survival suits for the Newfoundland offshore oil industry in April 2007.
The helicopter underwater escape breathing apparatus (HUEBA) was one of the ... (more)
18/11/09 11:54 AM
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Makers of survival suits to testify at helicopter safety inquiry today 2
Helly Hansen, makers of the survival suits worn by offshore workers during helicopter flights, is expected to testify at the Wells inquiry in St. John’s today.
Mark Collins, operations manager for Helly Hansen Canada, will take the witness stand.
The inquiry was established fo... (more)
18/11/09 9:37 AM
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Robert Decker, 28, the lone survivor of Cougar Helicopter Flight 491 which ... » |
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'It was a regular day' 7
Decker recounts deadly crash
When the pilot of Cougar Flight 491 said “Brace, brace, brace,” Robert Decker did just that — using both hands to brace himself against the seat in front of him.
It wasn’t part of his offshore survival training, but it may have kept some air in his lungs when the he... (more)
06/11/09 8:42 AM
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