At least 11 people were killed today when a Statoil helicopter crashed off the west coast of Norway and was destroyed on impact near Turoy.
The accident occurred at 12:20hrs while the CHC-owned helicopter was en route from Statoil’s Gullfaks B oilfied on the Norwegian continental shelf to Bergen with 13 people confirmed onboard.
Press reports say the passengers included Briton, an Italian and 11 Norwegian nationals. Rescuers are still looking for survivors and Statoil said it has mobilised its emergency response organisation.
The downed helicopter was reportedly a Eurocopter. The Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority told Reuters the model of helicopter involved in the crash experienced gearbox faults during 2012, and received flying restrictions in 2012 and 2013.
