UK air accident investigators looking into the ditching of a Bond Helicopters EC225 in February have made recommendations about the use of personal emergency beacons and transmitters.

The accident happened on Feb. 18, 2009 as the EC225 (G-REDU), with 16 passengers and two crew aboard, was making its final approach to a BP oil production platform 120 miles east of Aberdeen.

A preliminary accident report issued by the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) in March found that the crew become disoriented as the aircraft approached the platform in thick fog, and struck the water. All aboard were rescued but not without some delay.

The search was hampered by darkness, fog and weak homing signals on the 121.5 Mhz and 243 Mhz emergency frequencies. The helicopter passengers had been provided with special wristwatches, known as Wrist Watch Personal Locator Beacons (WWPLBs), which incorporated low power transmitters functioning on 121. MHZ. Tests showed that the WWPLB can suppress the more powerful homing signals of Personal Loator Beacons (PLBs) and Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs), which are installed on life rafts.

As a result of the probe, the AAIB has made the following recommendations:

Safety Recommendation 2009-064

It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority review the carriage and use in commercial air transport helicopters of any radio location devices which do not form part of the aircraft's certificated equipment.

Safety Recommendation 2009-065

It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority advise the European Aviation Safety Agency of the outcome of the review on the carriage and use in commercial air transport helicopters of any radio location devices which do not form part of the aircraft's certificated equipment.

Safety Recommendation 2009-066

It is recommended that European Aviation Safety Agency require manufacturers of Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs)/Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) units to add details, where absent, of the correct use of the antenna to the instructions annotated on the body of such beacons.

Safety Recommendation 2009-067

It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority ensure that all aspects of Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)/Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) operation, particularly correct deployment of the antenna, are included and given appropriate emphasis in initial and recurrent commercial air transport flight crew training, as applicable.