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| Super Puma helicopter endured rapid dive before crash, says report | Super Puma helicopter endured rapid dive before crash, says report |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Accident investigators have revealed the Super Puma helicopter that crashed off Shetland on Friday, killing four passengers, experienced an alarming and rapid descent before hitting the sea. | Accident investigators have revealed the Super Puma helicopter that crashed off Shetland on Friday, killing four passengers, experienced an alarming and rapid descent before hitting the sea. |
| An interim report by the Air Accidents Investigations Branch (AAIB) said the helicopter went into a rapid descent after it lost power three miles off Sumburgh airport on Friday evening, but flew on for a mile before crashing a short distance from Shetland's rocky coastline in heavy mist. | An interim report by the Air Accidents Investigations Branch (AAIB) said the helicopter went into a rapid descent after it lost power three miles off Sumburgh airport on Friday evening, but flew on for a mile before crashing a short distance from Shetland's rocky coastline in heavy mist. |
| On Thursday afternoon, the investigation into the precise cause of the crash took a significant step forward after the AAIB said it had finally recovered the black box voice and flight data recorder, which would be sent to its base at Farnborough, Hampshire, for analysis. | On Thursday afternoon, the investigation into the precise cause of the crash took a significant step forward after the AAIB said it had finally recovered the black box voice and flight data recorder, which would be sent to its base at Farnborough, Hampshire, for analysis. |
| The data recorder is thought to have been around 16 metres deep and was contained in the Super Puma's tail section, which was broken off the aircraft after it was dashed on to rocks on Shetland's coast. Although investigators soon detected the black box's beacon, it has taken five days to find, and is likely to provide crucial technical data about the cause of the crash. | The data recorder is thought to have been around 16 metres deep and was contained in the Super Puma's tail section, which was broken off the aircraft after it was dashed on to rocks on Shetland's coast. Although investigators soon detected the black box's beacon, it has taken five days to find, and is likely to provide crucial technical data about the cause of the crash. |
| The helicopter hit the water upright and intact only two miles from Sumburgh's runway, but then quickly capsized and – as the passengers and crew struggled to get free – was pulled towards the rocks on Garths Ness by the tide and heavy seas. | The helicopter hit the water upright and intact only two miles from Sumburgh's runway, but then quickly capsized and – as the passengers and crew struggled to get free – was pulled towards the rocks on Garths Ness by the tide and heavy seas. |
| Four passengers, including the first woman to die in a North Sea oil industry accident, were killed and the pilot suffered serious back injuries. In all 14 passengers survived, largely because the helicopter crashed so close to land, allowing rescuers to reach the site far faster. | Four passengers, including the first woman to die in a North Sea oil industry accident, were killed and the pilot suffered serious back injuries. In all 14 passengers survived, largely because the helicopter crashed so close to land, allowing rescuers to reach the site far faster. |
| All routine Super Puma flights in the North Sea are still suspended. | All routine Super Puma flights in the North Sea are still suspended. |
| The initial account was published as further sections of the Super Puma AS332 L2 – its gearbox and rotor blades and part of its fuselage – were found late on Wednesday by salvage crews and taken by the recovery vessel Bibby Polaris to Lerwick harbour just before dawn on Thursday. | |
| Both engines and part of the cockpit were found offshore. All the parts are being sent to the AAIB's headquarters in Farnborough, Hampshire for detailed examination. | Both engines and part of the cockpit were found offshore. All the parts are being sent to the AAIB's headquarters in Farnborough, Hampshire for detailed examination. |
| In its brief statement, released on Thursday morning before the black box was found, the AAIB refused to speculate on the cause of the crash, the fifth incident involving the Super Puma family of helicopters in the North Sea in four years. | In its brief statement, released on Thursday morning before the black box was found, the AAIB refused to speculate on the cause of the crash, the fifth incident involving the Super Puma family of helicopters in the North Sea in four years. |
| It said: "Preliminary information indicates that the approach proceeded normally until approximately three miles from the runway when there was a reduction in airspeed accompanied by an increased rate of descent. The helicopter struck the sea approximately two miles west of the Runway 09 threshold. | It said: "Preliminary information indicates that the approach proceeded normally until approximately three miles from the runway when there was a reduction in airspeed accompanied by an increased rate of descent. The helicopter struck the sea approximately two miles west of the Runway 09 threshold. |
| "The evidence currently available suggests that the helicopter was intact and upright when it entered the water. It then rapidly inverted and drifted northwards towards Garths Ness. The helicopter was largely broken up by repeated contact with the rocky shoreline." | "The evidence currently available suggests that the helicopter was intact and upright when it entered the water. It then rapidly inverted and drifted northwards towards Garths Ness. The helicopter was largely broken up by repeated contact with the rocky shoreline." |
| The disclosures came as the oil industry's helicopter safety steering group prepared to resume its discussions about allowing some Super Pumas back into service, after it failed to reach an agreement on Wednesday. | The disclosures came as the oil industry's helicopter safety steering group prepared to resume its discussions about allowing some Super Pumas back into service, after it failed to reach an agreement on Wednesday. |
| Demands for further action on offshore safety accelerated after Frank Doran, the Labour MP for Aberdeen North, called on the UK transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, to order a full public inquiry into helicopter safety in the North Sea. | |
| In a letter to McLoughlin, Doran said the five accidents involving different Super Pumas in the past four years, including a fatal crash which killed 16 men in 2009, had badly damaged confidence among the 57,000 people working in the North Sea. | |
| Calling for an inquiry similar to Lord Cullen's investigation into the Piper Alpha disaster in 1988, Doran said: "The number of incidents over the last four years has caused huge uncertainty amongst the workforce." | |
| That inquiry "should look into every aspect of transport, construction of aircraft, maintenance, operations, landing platforms, all safety systems and technical assistance". The DfT said it would respond to Doran's call later. | |
| However, the Norwegian civil aviation authority has rejected demands from Norway's offshore trades unions for its five Super Pumas AS332 L2s and 15 EC225s to be grounded until the Shetland accident has been explained. | |
| Geir Hamre, chairman of the Norwegian helicopter safety committee, told the Guardian said they believed the Shetland crash was an isolated incident. "We can't connect this to any similar accident previously and that is the reason why we say it's an isolated case, and have decided not to stop them flying." | |
| With the three types of Super Puma accounting for about 70% of all North Sea helicopter traffic, union leaders have reported that the suspension of flights – except in emergencies – is causing disruption for oil workers both offshore and onshore, and for rig operators. | With the three types of Super Puma accounting for about 70% of all North Sea helicopter traffic, union leaders have reported that the suspension of flights – except in emergencies – is causing disruption for oil workers both offshore and onshore, and for rig operators. |
| Hundreds have been unable to return home while others are unable to start their shifts. CHC Helicopter and BP have begun using many more Sikorsky helicopters, while Total has hired four surface ships to ferry workers to and from its installations. | Hundreds have been unable to return home while others are unable to start their shifts. CHC Helicopter and BP have begun using many more Sikorsky helicopters, while Total has hired four surface ships to ferry workers to and from its installations. |
| After a long meeting on Wednesday, the HSSG failed to reach an agreement on whether to continue the suspension of all Super Puma flights but it said the temporary ban would continue at least until its talks resumed on Thursday afternoon. | After a long meeting on Wednesday, the HSSG failed to reach an agreement on whether to continue the suspension of all Super Puma flights but it said the temporary ban would continue at least until its talks resumed on Thursday afternoon. |
| There are reports that the Norwegian safety authorities, who have been closely following developments in the UK, have decided to resume their Super Puma flights after learning more about the suspected cause of the Shetland crash. Those details have not been disclosed. | There are reports that the Norwegian safety authorities, who have been closely following developments in the UK, have decided to resume their Super Puma flights after learning more about the suspected cause of the Shetland crash. Those details have not been disclosed. |
| The dead have been named as Duncan Munro, 46, from County Durham; George Allison, 57, from Hampshire; Gary McCrossan, 59, from Inverness; and Sarah Darnley, 45, from Elgin. | The dead have been named as Duncan Munro, 46, from County Durham; George Allison, 57, from Hampshire; Gary McCrossan, 59, from Inverness; and Sarah Darnley, 45, from Elgin. |
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