On Thursday, March 12, 2009, Cougar Helicopters Flight 91 was forced to ditch in the Atlantic Ocean about 55 kilometres off St. John's after experiencing mechanical problems. Of the 18 people onboard, only one person survived. Robert Decker was lifted from the ocean's surface following the crash and brought to hospital in St. John's in critical condition. The body of Allison Maher was pulled from the ocean about the same time. A massive search effort was commenced for the missing 16 people. On Friday evening, March 13, the search ended and a recovery mission began. The wreckage was located on the ocean bottom where the bodies of the missing were located. Recovery crews then began the process of bringing bodies to the surface. The wreckage was also to be lifted from the ocean floor.
Officials with Sikorsky and Cougar Helicopters are inspecting the main gearbox on an S-92 chopper to find out what caused a hairline crack on the critical component.
A spokesman for Cougar said today a crew from Sikorsky is taking extra time examining the gearbox mounting feet, a day after... (more)03/11/09 4:28 PM
The same model of helicopter involved in a fatal crash off Newfoundland this year is undergoing safety checks in the United Kingdom due to cracks in the footings that attach the gearbox to the aircraft.
A letter sent by Sikorsky to all S-92 helicopter operators says the U.S.-based firm has... (more)13/10/09 1:02 PM
A Cougar helicopter aborted a flight to an offshore oil rig today and made an emergency landing in Halifax after an on-board warning program indicated a problem with the lubrication system.
An official with the Newfoundland-based company says a chip indicator on the Sikorsky S-92 sensed th... (more)23/09/09 2:25 PM
A Cougar helicopter made an emergency landing at Halifax airport today after losing power in one of its two engines.
Peter Spurway, an airport spokesman, says the helicopter with 17 people on board was returning to Halifax from an offshore rig when the problem occurred.
He says offi... (more)23/09/09 12:50 PM
The inquiry on offshore helicopter safety is looking for written submissions from the public about the safety of oil industry workers who travel offshore by helicopter.
The deadline for those submissions is Nov. 30.
“I know there are many people within this province as well as... (more)22/09/09 11:21 AM
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