Vol. 521 No. 5
41 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Defence the changes of procedures that are planned in view of the incident involving an Alouette helicopter at Ardmore Head on 10 October 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17486/00]
On 10 October 1999, the search and rescue crew in Waterford, using an Alouette helicopter, was tasked with the recovery of an injured woman who had fallen down a cliff at Ardmore Head. The casualty was located on a ledge at the base of a 150 foot high cliff. Around ten people were with the casualty. She had been transferred to a spinal board and was receiving treatment.
The location of the casualty meant that a lift using the hoist on the helicopter would be required. The winchman was winched out and as the helicopter approached the overhead position a foil thermal blanket which was covering the casualty lifted into the air. The aircraft commander observed this but owing to the critical phase of the approach with the winchman on the cable, avoiding action was not possible. The aircraft commander then lost sight of the blanket. It appears that the blanket became enmeshed in the main rotor for a short period of time and subsequently tore away. The aircraft was moved away from the cliff face and the winch operator commenced winching in the winchman. Once the winchman was aboard, the aircraft was landed and inspected. No significant damage was found.
The helicopter crew then went on foot to access the casualty. The winchman abseiled down the cliff face and confirmed the urgent need to transfer the casualty to hospital. It was decided to restart the helicopter and, provided that it performed satisfactorily, complete the lift of the casualty and transfer to hospital. This was carried out successfully.
After the incident a report was completed by Air Corps personnel as part of an internal Air Corps investigation. This report has been published in the air accident investigation unit's Aircraft Accidents-Incidents Reports, Series Two of 1999, with the permission of the Air Corps so as to bring the safety recommendations to the attention of organisations that work with the Air Corps in search and rescue operations and because similar hazards could also confront other search and rescue operators.
The safety recommendations contained in the Air Corps report state that the Irish Marine Search and Rescue Committee should review the syllabus and frequency of training of ground personnel engaged in helicopter rescue operations, such as Irish Coast Guard rescue teams, the Garda Síochána, mountain rescue teams, etc., to ensure such personnel are aware of the hazards posed to search and rescue helicopters by unsecured lightweight items and the Irish Marine Search and Rescue Committee should review the command and control procedures at rescue sites, to ensure non-essential personnel do not impede the helicopter's operation.
(Additional information)
These recommendations have been discussed at meetings of the Irish Marine Search and Rescue Committee and are being addressed further in consultation with all the relevant parties with a view to their refinement and finalisation. A marine notice will be drafted on the need to keep areas where helicopters will operate clear of unsecured light weight items.
The Air Corps will also write to the various other agencies, not represented in the Irish Marine Search and Rescue Committee, with whom they work in search and rescue, for example, mountain rescue and ambulance personnel, to re-emphasise the need for ground based personnel to be aware that lightweight items, such as foil – thermal – blankets, must be removed from the helicopter's working area or, if necessary, be strongly secured and to offer familiarisation training to specific individuals and crews in this area.
It is a pity the Minister did not have the time to complete his reply because the first part is identical to the reply I received in October when I asked a question about the same incident. The latter part of the reply seems to indicate that there were deficiencies in the way the helicopter was operated in that it is not suitable for that type of work. Is that correct?
I do not agree the helicopter was not suitable for that type of work. However, issues emerged from which lessons must be learned by everyone engaged in the process. Perhaps at times there is too much emphasis on what helicopters can and cannot do. Search and rescue on a cliff face is very difficult, dangerous and a lot of experience is necessary, and accidents can happen. Thankfully no one was hurt in this incident but it is important that the experience gained is transferred to other operations. There is no indication from the information available to me that there was a problem with the helicopter.
Have the recommendations for all search and rescue teams been implemented? Is the incident which caused the problem now included in the syllabus and training of search and rescue personnel?
It is a feature of how we improve safety in all walks of life, including farm safety, which came to the fore in the last week. A number of issues need to be considered, which was not the case heretofore, because of a fatal accident which arose and which no one thought could happen. We must take on board these issues and put in place procedures to ensure they are not repeated.
Since we are discussing search and rescue by the Air Corps, will the Minister indicate the timescale for the replacement of Air Corps helicopters?
A high level civil and military procurement group is considering that issue. The funds are in place and I hope we will be in a position to place orders before the end of the year.
