Crash report calls for improved helicopter safety
Investigators said the failure of the gearbox of the Super Puma helicopter resulted in the deadly crash
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Saturday, 11, Apr 2009 01:01
An initial report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) into the deadly crash of a Super Puma helicopter in the North Sea has called for improved safety checks.
On April 1st, 16 people lost their lives when a Super Puma helicopter crashed after leaving BP's oil platform in the North Sea.
Investigators found that the accident was caused by a "catastrophic failure" in the aircraft's gearbox and urged the manufacturer of the Super Puma, Eurocopter, to carry out "additional inspections and enhanced monitoring" on its AS332L2 model.
According to the report, investigators made a routine call at 1354 BST on the day to inform airport authorities of their arrival. Twelve seconds later they issued a mayday call which was received by air traffic controllers who were unable to get in touch with the crew.
Investigators found that the failure of the helicopter's gearbox resulted in the rotor blades becoming detached and striking the body of the aircraft.
Data from the black box showed that the Super Puma flew over Aberdeen at 2,000 ft, rising for 200ft and then going into a rapid descent.
The crash claimed the lives of 16 men, 14 passengers and two crew.
Eight of the victims hailed from Scotland, seven came from Ireland and one of the dead was from Latvia.