Oil and Gas People reported yesterday that a CHC S92 Helicopter was escorted back to Aberdeen after declaring an emergency while flying offshore. The helicopter landed safely just after 7pm on Sunday evening.

Unusually the helicopter was closely followed ashore by another S92 aircraft operated by Bristow Helicopters.

Oil and Gas People has today learned from two separate sources close to the incident that the emergency was declared after an engine fire warning light illuminated in the cockpit.

We are reliably informed that the flight was a shuttle flight to transport workers from the Franklin Platform back to the Elgin PUQ who were day tripping.

The emergency was declared on route to the Elgin Platform. The helicopter circled the Elgin Platform and asked the HLO (Helicopter Landing Officer) to check for signs of fire. When given the all clear the pilots then made the decision to return to Aberdeen and requested the assistance of a Bristow Helicopter to tail them in as a precaution.

When asked for a statement a spokesman for CHC said: “CHC can confirm one of its S92 helicopters made a precautionary return to base in Aberdeen after a cockpit safety warning light was activated.

“Crew followed procedures and were in contact with air traffic control at all times.

“The aircraft landed without further incident.

“Passengers are safe and have been debriefed and engineers are undertaking a full inspection of the aircraft.”