HeliOffshore Releases Updated Research Briefing on Wrong Deck Landings

HeliOffshore has released an updated research briefing and recommendations on Wrong Deck Landings (WDL) in offshore helicopter operations today.

The publication provides practical guidance to better understand and reduce the risk of Wrong Deck Landings. It has been developed through collaboration with operators, industry stakeholders, and original researchers, and builds on original research commissioned by CHC Helicopter over ten years ago analysing WDL events, alongside flight observations, simulator studies, and pilot interviews. HeliOffshore is very grateful to CHC for allowing the sharing of the work they originally funded, and to Dr Steve Jarvis whose work has been critical in both this briefing and the original report. 

Wrong Deck Landings are a long-standing but underreported safety issue in offshore aviation. They occur when a helicopter unintentionally lands on a different offshore helideck to the one planned. The research highlights that these events, often not formally reported in the past, present a significant safety risk, as the receiving platform will not be prepared to safely manage the landing, with normal safety controls such as fire cover and safety checks absent.

The research offers a clear and accessible summary as to how Wrong Deck Landings occur, and highlights recommendations that helicopter operators and energy companies can implement in their procedures and training. 

The paper sets out:

• The key causes and common patterns behind Wrong Deck Landings, particularly during the visual transition phase of flight.

• The role of human factors, including confirmation bias, workload, and crew coordination.

• Operational and procedural considerations, including Threat and Error Management (TEM), delayed visual selection, and go-around decision making.

• Training recommendations to improve awareness of WDL risks and strengthen crew performance.

• Guidance on the use of automation, stabilised approaches, and flight path management to reduce workload and improve monitoring.

• Recommendations for helideck identification, including clearer and more consistent signage and reduced complexity in platform identifiers.

Jim Evans, Operations Director, HeliOffshore, said:

“Strengthening our shared understanding of Wrong Deck Landings is key to reducing their occurrence. By bringing together research and operational experience, this publication helps ensure that lessons are applied consistently across our industry to support safer and more effective operations.”

The report is available on the HeliOffshore website here