InfoShare

Helideck crane operating after landing clearance

Reference 2021-066 Event Date 28 Oct 2021

Priority Routine Helicopter Type AW139

Event Type Operational OEM Notified No

Event Category Obstacle Conflict

Synopsis

The helicopter was approaching an offshore platform on a scheduled flight. The Helicopter Landing Officer
(HLO) issued a landing clearance to the pilots.

When the helicopter was about 0.2 nautical miles from the platform, the captain noticed one of the crane
booms was raised. The crane boom began to rotate away from the helideck.

The captain slowed the helicopter's approach and radioed the HLO to advise of the crane movement. The
HLO responded, advising that the crane was moving out of the way. They then confirmed that the crane had
been returned to its rack.

The captain continued the approach and landed the helicopter without further incident.

Cause

The HLO had attempted to notify all facility stakeholders of the helicopter's arrival. They broadcast an 'ALL
STATIONS' radio announcement, they also phoned the crane cab to confirm the crane operator had received
the message. This phone call was unanswered.

The HLO assumed that the crane operator had heard the ALL STATIONS broadcast and was already out of
the crane cab awaiting the helicopter's arrival. Instead, the crane operator was on a lunch break when the ALL
STATIONS radio broadcast and the phone call were made.

After the occurrence, it was identified that ALL STATIONS broadcasts were not being received by the deck
crew.

As a result, neither the crane operator nor the deck crew were aware of the helicopter's arrival. After their
lunch break, the crane operator had returned to the crane cab and recommenced work.

Actions taken

The platform's existing procedures specified general tasks to be completed prior to helicopter arrival, which
included racking of the cranes prior to the helicopter's arrival. The procedures, however, did not clearly define
how these tasks were to be completed, allowing individuals to apply their own interpretations, initiatives, and
assumptions.

Recommendations were issued to review and establish clearly-defined and consistent processes for managing
helicopter operations and communicating between the applicable stakeholders.

As a result, the platform operator implemented an alternate process of communicating helicopter arrivals to
personnel as a temporary workaround for the issues identified with the ALL STATIONS broadcast.

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