Former judge Robert Wells is heading up the inquiry into offshore helicopter safety. (CBC)

An inquiry examining offshore helicopter safety will begin in St. John's on Monday following a deadly crash that sent an aircraft transporting oil workers plunging into the Atlantic Ocean.

Judge Robert Wells — a retired Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador judge — is tasked with assessing whether offshore helicopter transport is as safe as it can possibly be. Dozens of witnesses are scheduled to testify over six weeks, including family members of the crash victims.

The inquiry was called following the crash of Cougar Flight 491 off the east coast of Newfoundland in March. Seventeen of the 18 people on board died.

The lone survivor of the crash, Robert Decker, has not been subpoenaed to testify at the inquiry.

However, Wells told CBC News Monday morning that he wrote to Decker personally to offer him a chance to tell his story.

"I said, 'You are welcome at the inquiry. If you wish to say anything, we will facilitate you. If you wish not to do so, well then, that is your choice.' "

'Every expectation' survivor will testify

Wells said he has since heard from Decker's lawyer that Decker is considering testifying.

"I have every expectation that Mr. Decker will give evidence."

The inquiry, which was called by Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, will not examine the cause of the crash, which the Transportation Safety Board is still investigating.

Transport Canada officials have said the investigation is focusing on a gearbox oil-bowl mounting stud that broke during the flight. The helicopter lost altitude suddenly and the impact with the water crushed most of the aircraft, according to officials.

The inquiry will look for ways to make travelling to offshore oil platforms as safe as possible, Wells said.

Wells said in preparation for the inquiry, he went through a rigorous session of offshore survival training in August.

Glimpse into life offshore

"It was an experience to say the least," said Wells, "but I got through it, and I got a certificate and card which says ... that I'm entitled to work offshore for three years."

Well said he also travelled offshore, to the Hibernia platform, where bad weather kept him onsite for more than two days. He originally planned to stay there only for an afternoon.

"I got a chance to talk to dozens of people, from all over the province. From the management of the platform, right through the workforce, and to me, it gave me a valuable insight into life offshore, or at least a glimpse, into life offshore, and I talked to many people about their feelings, about helicopter transport."

Wells said he will talk about his experience when he addresses the inquiry with his opening remarks Monday morning.

National Defence Minister Peter MacKay said he expects there will be questions about the military's choice of Gander as the base for search and rescue in Newfoundland and Labrador. But the location has already been discussed and was chosen for its central location and better visibility, MacKay said.

"They have the data that has accumulated over years of responding to search and rescue. I've seen a lot of that data that clearly indicates that the best location to have our helicopters in is Gander," he said.

With files from The Canadian Press