Air accident investigators are launching an inquiry into what caused an oil workers' helicopter to ditch in the North Sea with 18 people on board.
The remaining survivors of a North Sea helicopter accident have arrived back in Aberdeen harbour on a support vessel which plucked them from the sea.
They were all rescued from life-rafts after the Super Puma shuttle came down near a BP oil platform in the ETAP field, 125 miles east of Aberdeen.
All 18 on board the aircraft were rescued from life rafts and three were flown to hospital - they have since been discharged.
Three were rescued by a Bond company helicopter and flown to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. They were later discharged.
Workers on the BP oil platform, the flight's destination, saw the aircraft ditch 125 miles east of Aberdeen.
The other 15 are being brought back to Aberdeen by fast-rescue vessel.
Air accident investigators are launching an inquiry into the cause.
They are expected to arrive on the Scottish mainland at 0500 GMT on Thursday morning.
The Super Puma shuttle came down near the platform in the ETAP field.
The coastguard said there were no serious injuries, but some of those involved had suffered minor injuries, described as walking wounded.
The coastguard said there were no serious injuries, but some of those involved had suffered minor injuries, described as walking wounded.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it would be launching an investigation and would send nine people to Aberdeen on Thursday.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it would be launching an investigation into Wednesday night's crash and would send nine people to Aberdeen on Thursday.
The managing director of BP North Sea, Bernard Loony, said it was too early to say what had caused the crash.
The managing director of BP North Sea, Bernard Loony, said it was too early to say what had caused the crash.
"Clearly... this will be the subject of a significant investigation," he said.
"Clearly... this will be the subject of a significant investigation," he said.
"But it is time, I think, to play real tribute to the teams who acted with such, such professionalism during the rescue of the passengers and the crew and I'd like to pay tribute to them.
"But it is time, I think, to play real tribute to the teams who acted with such, such professionalism during the rescue of the passengers and the crew and I'd like to pay tribute to them.
"But we're very pleased that at this point in time, everyone is safe".
"But we're very pleased that at this point in time, everyone is safe".
Winched to safety
Winched to safety
British military spokesman James Lyne, from the RAF base at Kinloss, said the helicopter had landed upright and floated due to flotation bags which inflated when it landed on water.
British military spokesman James Lyne, from the RAF base at Kinloss, said the helicopter had landed upright and floated due to flotation bags which inflated when it landed on water.
The passengers escaped into three rubber dinghies equipped with locator beacons, which were detected by satellites enabling rescuers to pinpoint their exact position.
The passengers escaped into three rubber dinghies equipped with locator beacons, which were detected by satellites enabling rescuers to pinpoint their exact position.Bond offshore helicopters confirmed one of its Super Pumas had ditched
Four helicopters, including three in-field aircraft and a Sea King from RAF Lossiemouth, took part in the rescue. A Nimrod from RAF Kinloss was also scrambled.
Four helicopters, including three in-field aircraft and a Sea King from RAF Lossiemouth, took part in the rescue. A Nimrod from RAF Kinloss was also scrambled.
Three of the passengers were winched to safety by one of the helicopters and the other 15 were recovered by one of the rescue craft.
Three of the passengers were winched to safety by one of the helicopters and the other 15 were recovered by one of the rescue craft.
Fred Kagel, from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said the accident was reported by people on the platform.Bond offshore helicopters confirmed one of its Super Pumas had ditched
Fred Kagel, from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said the accident was reported by people on the platform.
"They reported that they'd seen a helicopter ditch into the sea [and] seeing life-jacket lights and also three flares that had been fired from a direction south and east of the platform - and the helicopter fuselage was also seen on the surface.
"They reported that they'd seen a helicopter ditch into the sea [and] seeing life-jacket lights and also three flares that had been fired from a direction south and east of the platform - and the helicopter fuselage was also seen on the surface.
"So this incident sort of gives a remarkable similarity to the aircraft that landed on the Hudson river."
"So this incident sort of gives a remarkable similarity to the aircraft that landed on the Hudson river."
Michael Coull, from Aberdeen Coastguard, said the crash was an extremely unusual event.
Michael Coull, from Aberdeen Coastguard, said the crash was an extremely unusual event.
"It has happened in the past, aircraft have ditched in the North Sea, but it is very rare given the number of flights that take place on a daily basis."
"It has happened in the past, aircraft have ditched in the North Sea, but it is very rare given the number of flights that take place on a daily basis."
A phone line had been set up for families of the passengers and crew on 01224 836 479.
A phone line had been set up for families of the passengers and crew on 01224 836 479.
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