Helicopter blade broke in Storm Otto, almost hitting North Sea worker

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.

In its report, the AAIB said the helicopter’s rotor brake had failed.

This meant the blades continued to rotate slowly after the helicopter had landed, preventing crew and workers from easily strapping it down as the storm hit.

One of blades broke and nearly struck the worker, who was at the rear of the helicopter and attempting to attach the final strap.

The blade eventually detached from the machine and fell into the sea.

The three remaining rotor blades broke off in the high winds and landed on the helipad.

The AAIB’s report described the helicopter being “rocked” by the strong gusts.

The helicopter was later taken back to the mainland by ship.

The AAIB said a number of safety actions had been taken since the incident on 17 February 2023, and its recommendations include improved rotor brake maintenance.

Storm Otto caused power cuts to about 30,000 homes, and shut dozens of schools, across Scotland and northern England.

It brought widespread winds of more than 60mph, with Cairngorm mountain recording speeds of 120mph.