There was a recent incident in the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf Region (POCSR) involving a helicopter taking off from a helideck while drilling operations were being conducted on the platform. The helideck involved in the incident had stainless steel tubing around its perimeter which was used to release compressed air to scare seagulls away from the helideck. Due to the close proximity of the drilling rig to the helideck, the wind conditions at the time of the incident, and the presence of the stainless steel tubing along the perimeter of the helideck, the helicopters skid spring became entangled under the tubing prior to takeoff. As a result of this incident the steel tubing was removed from the edges of the helideck.
In the interest of personnel safety, the Minerals Management Service is requesting that all POCSR operators inspect their helidecks for potential obstructions and consider the options for alleviating any obstruction problems. Prior to landing or departing from a platform, helicopter pilots should be aware of wind conditions, platform operations, and possible obstructions near the landing area. Any changes made to platform helidecks as a result of this Safety Alert should be immediately brought to the attention of all platform and helicopter personnel involved with flight operations. |
