The Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority immediately imposed a temporary flying ban on type of helicopter involved – a Eurocopter EC225LP – but said it was too early to say anything about the cause of the crash.
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Eleven bodies have been found, and two other people are still missing. The restriction does not apply to search and rescue flights.
13 people died when a Super Puma helicopter crashed outside Bergen on the way back from Gullfaks oil rig on Friday morning. “We will offer any assistance that we can”.
There were 11 passengers and two crew onboard, Statoil and rescue officials said.
Those on board also included 11 Norwegians and one Italian.
The chopper was transporting workers from a North Sea offshore oil field when it crashed around midday near the shoreline off the coast of Bergen, Norway’s second biggest city. Statoil said one of the passengers was an employee, although all were on a “mission” for the firm.
“Today, we have been hit by a awful tragedy, one of the most severe helicopter accidents in the history of the Norwegian oil industry”, said Arne Sigve Nylund, executive vice president development and production Norway, for Statoil.
Airbus announced during the night that it still had no information “that allows us to understand the causes of the accident that involved the aircraft’s rotor being detached, nor to make any links to events that have occurred previously”. “More than anything, our thoughts are now with those who have lost their loved ones, and an entire industry extends its sympathy to them”. The victims were employed by different companies, but were all working for Norway-based energy company Statoil, according to a statement on the company website.
In a statement, Airbus Helicopters expressed sympathy for the victims and said it is giving accident investigators and CHC its full support.
Four years ago, there were two incidents involving EC225 Super Puma helicopters coming down in the sea off Scotland – one near Aberdeen and another near Shetland.
The helicopter was returning from the Gullfaks B oil and gas platform, operated by Norwegian oil and gas company Statoil.
“Horrible reports of a helicopter crash”, Prime Minister Erna Solberg tweeted. “Safety remains of paramount importance to all of us at CHC”. Witness Rebecca Andersen told the Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang that the helicopter’s “rotor blades came rushing toward us”.
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King Harald and Queen Sonja have also canceled a visit to Sweden after hearing news of the crash, according to the Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
