FrontLine Security NEWS- Judge appointed to helo crash inquiry

April 17, 2009

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland – The agency that regulates Newfoundland's offshore energy industry has appointed a retired judge to lead an inquiry into a recent helicopter crash that claimed the lives of 17 people.

The Cougar Helicopters chopper sank about 20 minutes after it crashed at high speed off the east coast of Newfoundland. One man survived the crash.

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board issued a statement Thursday confirming Robert Wells will serve as commissioner of the public inquiry.

After 22 years on the bench, he retired last year from the trial division of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Wells also served as president of the Law Society of Newfoundland and president of the Canadian Bar Association.

The board has said the inquiry will focus on the issue of "worker safety" and won't include the technical reasons on why the Sikorsky S-92A crashed on March 12.

The board says the inquiry's actual terms of reference will be announced in the coming weeks. There was no indication on how long it will take before Wells submits his final report.

The inquiry will also look into the use of survival suits, which some offshore workers have complained fit poorly.

As well, it will investigate why emergency beacons weren't detected after the helicopter sank

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is already investigating the crash.

The safety board hasn't determined the cause of the accident, but the pilot did report a loss of oil in the main gearbox as the helicopter descended toward the ocean.

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