16 killed in BP helicopter crash in North Sea

Energy company BP PLC said Thursday it was suspending flights with a company that runs transport to offshore oil rigs after one of the firm’s Super Puma helicopters crashed in the North Sea, killing all 16 people aboard.

Eight bodies have been recovered after Wednesday’s crash. Coast guard boats and other vessels were searching the sea off Scotland’s northeast coast for more bodies and wreckage.

“The grim reality is that the crew of 16 on board has been lost,” said Colin Menzies, assistant chief constable of Grampian Police.

The helicopter was returning to Aberdeen from a North Sea oil platform when it crashed Wednesday afternoon in calm and sunny conditions, 14 nautical miles (26 kilometers) off Peterhead in northeast Scotland.

Officials said the aircraft suffered a “catastrophic impact” with the water and sank quickly.
BP said the helicopter, carrying 14 oil workers and two helicopter crew, was coming back from the company’s Miller oil field.

It was operated by a British firm, Bond Offshore Helicopters. BP said it had “discontinued” the use of Bond helicopters for its North Sea workers for an unspecified period.

BP’s Bernard Looney said the decision was designed to give Bond staff time to get over their loss.