STV.TV: Pilots suspended after landing on wrong offshore platform

Two Bond Offshore pilots have been removed from the flight roster after they landed on a wrong offshore installation in the North Sea.

According to STV.TV, the pilots, flying an S92 helicopter where on their way to the Nexen-operated Buzzard complex, located about 60 miles northeast of Aberdeen, when they ‘mistakenly’ landed on the Ensco 120 jack-up rig, nine miles away from Buzzard.

Furthermore, the Scottish television channel’s website, reports that the ‘incident’ has been confirmed by Bond Aviation, the owner of the helicopter, who said that the event is under investigation and that the pilots have been taken off the flight roster.

Bond Aviation did not return an e-mail request seeking comment, sent by Offshore Energy Today.

The Buzzard complex comprises four separate platforms each supported by steel jackets interconnected by three bridges.

The Ensco 120, also run by Nexen, began its contract on the Golden Eagle development project in the fourth quarter last year.

Update: August 27, 2014

In an e-mail sent to Offshore Energy Today, a Bond Aviation spokesperson confirmed that the helicopter landed on the Ensco 120.

“We can confirm that an S-92 helicopter landed briefly on the deck of the Ensco 120, a platform that was not on its original flight plan. An investigation is underway,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also said that the helicopter eventually reached its destination, making a routine landing. The pilots involved are off the roster, pending the investigation.