6
A helicopter rotor blade broke in a storm and almost hit a worker who was trying to secure the aircraft to a North Sea offshore platform's helipad, a report has revealed.
The helicopter had landed passengers on Elgin PUQ, more than 100 miles east of Aberdeen, but it did not take off again due to a warning light.
Wind speeds, meanwhile, had increased and the crew, helped by platform workers, tried to strap the helicopter to the pad.
They were forced to retreat after the blade broke in the incident during Storm Otto – the first named storm of 2023.
The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) said it had found "several operational shortcomings" and faults, and has made six recommendations to improve safety.
