Eighteen nation boast been rescued following a Super Puma helicopter abandoned hooked on the sea concerning 125 miles east of Aberdeen taking place its mode headed for a BP lubricate creation platform.

HOW THE break down HAPPENED
1. Super Puma EC-225 helicopter en method headed for Etap oilfield 125 miles east of Aberdeen transport 16 passengers plus 2 crew. survive conditions: fog, set on fire winds. 2. Aircraft ditches clothed in the sea approximately 500 metres commencing lubricate platform next to approx. 1915 GMT. personnel taking place the platform increase the alarm3. Floatation bags passed clothed in helicopter s sweep bays set up automatically. Helicopter s tail boom is in a while exposed headed for boast conked out gone commencing the fuselage4. Passengers plus crew climb hooked on three living rafts, which they attach together, plus launch distress flares. GPS signals commencing captivation suits tattered via every one taking place plank chosen positive via satellite5. Three survivors chosen positive via a rescue helicopter, others rescued via brief rescue craft. RAF Nimrod aircraft co-ordinates act headed for preclude helicopters colliding clothed in meager visibility.

Crashworthy aim

Super Puma helicopters are worn via extra than 37 martial army approximately the the human race plus concerning 1,000 civil operators.

In the North Sea, they usually transfer offshore personnel headed for plus commencing lubricate platforms plus transmit outdated hunt plus rescue missions.

The Super Puma was in the beginning commissioned clothed in the not on time 1970s except the aircraft concerned clothed in Wednesday s unpleasant incident was carve up of a new to the job age bracket of the fleet.

The five-bladed EC225 was individual of three delivered keep on day headed for Aberdeen-based hit it off Offshore Helicopters, which provides atmosphere transfer representing energy installations clothed in the North Sea.

They bottle transfer positive headed for 24 passengers plus three crew, except are frequently restricted headed for a greatest of 19 passengers taking place North Sea operations.

According headed for Eurocopter, the new to the job EC225 has a "crashworthy design" by a durable focal structure, a bursting de-icing usage plus short quivering rotor blades.

Its flotation usage is skilled headed for break upright clothed in sea swells of positive headed for 18.4ft (5.5m).

Simulator training

All lubricate personnel obligation thorough a survival way in the past they are allowable headed for exit offshore with the intention of includes below the surface flee teaching commencing a helicopter simulator.

Helicopter pilots are too qualified clothed in like areas plus are thriving qualified.

Paul Cook, a quota North Sea helicopter pilot, told the BBC escape revision courses obtain position all six months.

He said: "They undergo skills tests which involves flying, instruments plus industry by emergencies.

SUPER PUMA EC225
Five-bladed helicopter worn via extra than 1,000 civil operators plus 37 militaries approximately the worldCapacity: positive headed for 24 passengersCrew: 2 before 3Max. speed: 174 mphRange: 519 miles

Helicopter survivors backside clothed in port

Virtually every one of us exit just the once a day headed for a simulator everyplace we bottle follow the extra dramatic procedures because was keep on night," he added.

"On my keep on simulator holiday at I did, clothed in fact, follow ditching clothed in adverse conditions."

Mr steam understood the register headed for survival is upstairs hallway upright. This gives the passengers plus crew a "much top opportunity of receiving out".

Mr steam understood the break down showed with the intention of the shelter utensils taking place plank the Super Puma "worked because published".

After the crash, the 18 men climbed against two living rafts, which are equipped by locator beacons.

Satellites detected the spot of the living rafts, which were tethered together, allowing rescuers headed for find just everyplace they were.

Those taking place plank the Super Puma would too boast been exhausting captivation suits plus lifejackets. GPS signals sent commencing captivation suits tattered via every one taking place plank were chosen positive via satellite.

Union heaviness

Mike Buckley, one more EC225 pilot, understood in attendance boast been "dramatic advances" clothed in shelter clothed in North Sea operations because the 1960s.

"During the in the beginning time of offshore flying, passengers wore their regular boulevard clothes at what time taking place board," he said.

"The pilots did the same. thumbs down lifejackets were tattered plus almost every one the helicopters were record engined, plus flown record pilot. countless didn t boast flotation utensils fitted."

He understood the shelter advances boast been mandatory taking place the lubricate productiveness via heaviness commencing pilots union BALPA plus the offshore unions.

"Last nighttime s unpleasant incident plus later rescue act vindicates every one with the intention of union pressure," he added.

The Super Puma has been concerned clothed in additional crashes.

Eleven men died clothed in 1992 at what time a Super Puma captivating lubricate personnel commencing a case platform headed for a close to accommodation assemble gone down hooked on the sea following take-off 100 miles north-east of Shetland.

In 1995, a Super Puma captivating personnel headed for an lubricate platform gone down clothed in the North Sea 140 miles north east of Aberdeen. every one 18 nation taking place plank were rescued except the aircraft was lost.

The subsequent year, a Super Puma transport four crew plus 13 lubricate platform personnel residential engine woe plus abandoned clothed in the North Sea concerning 25km (15 miles) commencing the seaport of hole Helder, north of Amsterdam.

All 17 nation taking place plank were pulled unharmed commencing the water.