Air incidents copter chief resigns
The managing director of a helicopter company which has seen three major incidents since 2009 has stepped down.Bill Munro offered his resignation to Bond Offshore on Friday and it has now been accepted.
In the most recent incident, 14 people were rescued when a Super Puma came down 25 miles off the coast of Aberdeen on May 10.
All arrived safely back on land after air and sea rescues.
It was the third incident involving Bond helicopters in the North Sea over the past three years.
Sixteen people died when a Super Puma plunged into the sea when its gearbox failed while carrying the men to Aberdeen on April 1 2009, and in February 2009 18 people survived after a helicopter ditched in the North Sea.
A spokesman for Bond was unable to say if Mr Munro's resignation was linked to any of the incidents.
They said in a statement: "Bill Munro has decided to step aside as managing director of Bond Offshore Helicopters.
"Malcolm Paine, hitherto director of operations at the company, will assume leadership of the business with immediate effect.
"Paine brings an extensive knowledge of Bond Offshore Helicopters and its operations, as well as strong relationships with its customers."
Sixteen people died when a Super Puma plunged into the sea when its gearbox failed while carrying the men to Aberdeen on April 1 2009, and in February 2009 18 people survived after a helicopter ditched in the North Sea.
A spokesman for Bond was unable to say if Mr Munro's resignation was linked to any of the incidents.
They said in a statement: "Bill Munro has decided to step aside as managing director of Bond Offshore Helicopters.
"Malcolm Paine, hitherto director of operations at the company, will assume leadership of the business with immediate effect.
"Paine brings an extensive knowledge of Bond Offshore Helicopters and its operations, as well as strong relationships with its customers."
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