Investigation to be held into suspected lightning strike on helicopter near Shetland
Andrew Hirst
Stock image of a Babcock helicopter.
A suspected lightning strike forced a helicopter to return to its Shetland base this morning (Tuesday).
Operator Babcock confirmed that one of its S-92 helicopters returned to Sumbugh airport after the crew reported a suspected strike.
The helicopter, which had been heading to an offshore installation, landed safely.
Babcock said it will now be subject to a detailed investigation by engineering teams.
The company won a five-year contract to support the oil and gas industry from Sumburgh last summer.
At the time, it was reported that Babcock’s offshore business would make more than 100 flights a month to North Sea installations on behalf of EnQuest, TAQA and CNR International.
Charles Bright
I would recommend to the engineers inspecting the aircraft to find and look at the US Army UH-1H Maintenance manual (TM55-1520-210-23) as possible guidance. It was the first and one of the few, if not only, helicopter maintenance manual with an “after lightning strike special inspection” spelled out. I know, I wrote it.