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Clutha crash: Engines failed after 'fuel supply problem' Clutha crash: Police helicopter engines 'flamed out'
(about 1 hour later)
A police helicopter which crashed on a busy pub in Glasgow last November suffered a double engine failure, apparently as a result of a fuel supply problem, investigators have found. A police helicopter which crashed into a busy Glasgow pub killing 10 people suffered a double engine failure, air accident investigators have found.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the cause of the problem was still not clear. The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) found that both engines had "flamed out" but its report said the cause of the problem was not clear.
The Eurocopter EC 135 helicopter came down on the Clutha Bar in the city centre on Friday 29 November. The Police Scotland Eurocopter EC 135 came down on the Clutha Bar in Glasgow city centre on Friday 29 November.
All three people on board and seven in the pub were killed. All three people on board and seven others in the pub were killed.
The AAIB said it was trying to establish why both engines "flamed out" when there was 76kg of fuel remaining. In its report, the AAIB said that its investigation into the crash was still ongoing.
It was also investigating why there was no Mayday call and why the aircraft was not able to make a controlled landing. No Mayday
An eyewitness said the Police Scotland aircraft, which was operated by Bond Aviation, fell from the sky "like a stone". Investigators said they were still trying to establish why both engines "flamed out" when there was 76kg of fuel remaining.
The pilot Dave Traill, had 26 years experience and had flown helicopters for the RAF in both Gulf Wars. They are also investigating why there was no Mayday call and why the aircraft was not able to make a controlled landing.
An initial report on the crash which was released on 9 December said there was "no evidence" of major engine or gearbox failure. An initial report on the crash, which was released on 9 December, said there was "no evidence" of major engine or gearbox failure.
Shortly after that report Bond grounded the same model of helicopter because of a fuel gauge problem. Although the aircraft did not have a black box data recorder, the AAIB investigation has been able to piece together elements of its last flight.
The helicopter had taken off at 20:45 with 400kg of fuel on board and was returning the base when it came down at 22:22. It established that the Police Scotland helicopter took off at 20:45 with 400kg of fuel on board.
The helicopter did not have a so-called black box data recorder. It stayed over an area of Glasgow's south side for about 30 minutes before making a short 10 minute foray over Dalkeith in Midlothian, some 38 nautical miles away.
The helicopter was granted permission to re-enter Glasgow air space at 22:18 but radar contact was lost at 22:22.
The latest AAIB report states: "Recorded data indicates that, in the later stages of the flight, the right engine flamed out, and shortly after the left engine flamed out."
The report states that the rotor blades and tail rotor were not rotating at the time of impact.
'Complex investigation'
However, it does not offer an explanation as to why both engines failed. It notes that there was no blockage on the fuel lines, both fuel pumps were working and there was no leakage from the fuel tanks either before or after the accident occurred.
Following publication of the report, Bond Air Services, which operated the helicopter for Police Scotland, said the development was the "another step" in "a long and complex investigation".
"While the investigation continues, we would urge against speculation," the company said.
"We owe it to the memories of those who died, those who were injured, and the families affected by this tragedy to help the investigation team answer as many questions as possible and discover exactly what happened.
"We continue to support the investigations and our thoughts remain with all those who have been touched by this tragedy.
"We also continue to work with Glasgow City Council and other parties to support bereaved families and the local community."
The British Airline Pilots' Association said the AAIB report appeared to show a problem with the helicopter's fuel system.
'Fuel problem'
In a statement, the group said: "We now know that the engines were not running at the time of the crash and it appears this was to do with the fuel system.
"However, pilots, like the AAIB, will not be satisfied until this is explored further and the exact reason for that failure is identified. The AAIB have our continued support in their work."
The helicopter crew who were killed in the Clutha bar crash were pilot David Traill, Pc Tony Collins and Pc Kirsty Nelis.
The seven customers in the Clutha who died were John McGarrigle, Mark O'Prey, Gary Arthur, Colin Gibson, Robert Jenkins, Samuel McGhee and Joe Cusker.
Hannah Bennett, from Thompsons Solicitors, which is representing some bereaved families and survivors, said the report offered "some clarity on what happened".
"It would appear there was a problem with the supply of fuel to the aircraft's engines but questions still remain as to why both engines failed while there was still a significant amount of fuel on board and why no emergency radio transmissions were sent by the pilot," she said.