Immy, the incident in February was apparently largely down to weather - the AAIB (Air Accidents Investigation Branch) found that the pilot flew into a "bank of fog" and couldn't identify the rig platform. It was a 'controlled ditching' (if you can call it that) where all crew and passengers escaped safely and the craft was largely intact.
This time is different. It is too early for any conclusions to be definitely made, as recovery and investigations are currently ongoing, but its clear that something went disastrously wrong. Apparently, there was just enough time for a mayday signal to be put out, before the chopper hit the sea hard. Don't think anybody had a chance in those circumstances. I would speculate possibly something to do with the rotor or gearbox, but don't know yet....
Extremely sad times, sombre mood around here. One of the men tragically killed is a friend of a friend
Heard from a bond mechanic something interesting about the ditch into the sea (the happy ending one....) that the altimeter beeps even 50 feet. When they went through the bank of fog it didn't beep so they touched the water. Pulled up, damaged the tail rotor and then landed it and deployed the bags. The beepy module bit had an intermittent fault..... I heard this but I'm always skeptical and take everything with a pinch of salt though.