Chopper safety gains come slowly, probe told

A St. John's inquiry into helicopter safety has been told it can take many years for research into best practices to make its way into the field.

Dr. Susan Coleshaw, a Scottish researcher who is internationally recognized for her work in offshore helicopter safety, told the Wells inquiry that it can take years for solid research results in a specific issue to be introduced to daily work.

Coleshaw, an Aberdeen-based consultant, agreed that it took a decade for research into training for underwater breathing apparatuses, usedduring emergency landings at sea,to be implemented.

"I think it's fairly typical," she said. "This particular program, I think there was very much a slowing down five years back and that was partly because of this transfer of authority from the U.K. to Europe and that has slowed this particular project.

"But yes, it's always disappointingly slow to move things forward, I think."

Coleshaw is one of a series of recognized experts brought to St. John's this week to testify before retired judge Robert Wells, who has been conducting an inquiry into the safety of helicopters working in Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore oil industry.

The inquiry was called after a Cougar Helicopters Sikorsky S-92A crashed into the Atlantic in March 2009, killing 17 of the 18 people aboard.

Coleshaw also said most of the current research focused on helicopter crashes involves controlled ditching, in which a pilot brings the aircraft down quickly while maintaining control.

There is much less information, she said, on more catastrophic circumstances.

Minutes before the Cougar flight crashed into the ocean, the crew notified authorities it was attempting a controlled ditch. Investigators have said there was a sudden drop in oil pressure in the chopper's gearbox.