HC Deb 17 July 2003 vol 409 cc609-10W
Mr. Doran

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the manufacturers provided a report on the on-deck pitch/heave and roll certification of a Super Puma helicopter which rolled over on the West Navion on 10 November 2001; what plans he has to publish the report; and what proposals he has to amend helideck movement criteria. [126524]

Mr. McNulty

The manufacturers of the Super Puma have not yet provided the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) with any report on the on-deck pitch/heave and roll limits for the super puma helicopter. I am also still awaiting publication of the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) report into the West Navion Super Puma accident which occurred on 10 November 2001. We are however aware that this specific accident resulted from a ship control malfunction that caused a rapid and unanticipated change to the ship's position and heading.

Extensive research by the CAA into operations to moving decks has been undertaken and remains on-going. It is expected that this research will provide the basis for any proposal for changes to helideck movement criteria. There are no plans to require amendment to the current criteria until the research is completed.