Investigation report on Alexander L Kielland
The commission of inquiry into the wreck of the Alexander L Kielland flotel submitted its report on 4 April 1981. It was sharply critical of most of those who had been involved with this unit ever since it lay on the drawing board.
According to the commission, the direct cause was poor welding of a flange plate for the hydrophone on the D bracing. Overloading also led to fatigue cracking in several bracings on the D column which eventually tore off.
The rig capsized because it was not designed with sufficient stability when one of the five columns had been lost. Because doors were kept open it also took on water when it listed, which left it unable to remain afloat.
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