Menu
24/11/2011
Helicopter Fault 'Not Recognised Before Crash'
A fault with the L2 Super Puma Helicopter that crashed killing 16 men in 2009 was not recognised during an inspection just days before the tragedy.
In a report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), published on Thursday, it was revealed that a metallic particle had been discovered during maintenance just 36 hours prior to the accident in the North Sea.
The report said the chip was "the only indication of the impending failure" and noted that the "catastrophic failure" of the main rotor gearbox was a result of a "fatigue fracture" in one of the gears.
The accident occurred on March 25 2009. The helicopter had been operating a scheduled passenger flight from BP's Miller Platform in the North Sea to Aberdeen and whilst cruising at 2,000 feet, some 50 minutes into the flight, there was a failure of the helicopter's Main Rotor Gearbox.
The helicopter fell from cruise flight before the main rotor and part of the epicyclic module separated from the fuselage.
"The helicopter then struck the surface of the sea with a high vertical speed," the report said.
Eight of the victims came from the north east of Scotland, seven from Liverpool, Norfolk and Worcestershire, and one from Latvia.
Speaking on Wednesday evening, Bond Offshore Helicopters' managing director Bill Munro said: “We remember 2009 first and foremost for the fatal accident involving one of our aircraft.
“Those who lost their lives and their families and friends remain very much in our thoughts.”
(DW)
In a report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), published on Thursday, it was revealed that a metallic particle had been discovered during maintenance just 36 hours prior to the accident in the North Sea.
The report said the chip was "the only indication of the impending failure" and noted that the "catastrophic failure" of the main rotor gearbox was a result of a "fatigue fracture" in one of the gears.
The accident occurred on March 25 2009. The helicopter had been operating a scheduled passenger flight from BP's Miller Platform in the North Sea to Aberdeen and whilst cruising at 2,000 feet, some 50 minutes into the flight, there was a failure of the helicopter's Main Rotor Gearbox.
The helicopter fell from cruise flight before the main rotor and part of the epicyclic module separated from the fuselage.
"The helicopter then struck the surface of the sea with a high vertical speed," the report said.
Eight of the victims came from the north east of Scotland, seven from Liverpool, Norfolk and Worcestershire, and one from Latvia.
Speaking on Wednesday evening, Bond Offshore Helicopters' managing director Bill Munro said: “We remember 2009 first and foremost for the fatal accident involving one of our aircraft.
“Those who lost their lives and their families and friends remain very much in our thoughts.”
(DW)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 September 2014
Humberside Police Name Helicopter Crash Victims
Humberside Police have named the two men who died in a helicopter crash on Tuesday. Captain Brian Bridgman, 50, from Canterbury in Kent was piloting the aircraft, and John Kent, 50, from Romford in London was the passenger.
Humberside Police Name Helicopter Crash Victims
Humberside Police have named the two men who died in a helicopter crash on Tuesday. Captain Brian Bridgman, 50, from Canterbury in Kent was piloting the aircraft, and John Kent, 50, from Romford in London was the passenger.
17 September 2014
Two Confirmed Dead In East Yorkshire Helicopter Crash
It has been confirmed that two men died in a helicopter crash off the East Yorkshire coast on Tuesday afternoon. The Bell JetRanger crashed at about 13:40 yesterday near Selwick Bay, Flamborough. It is understood that the aircraft was on its way to refuel at Humberside Airport, during a flight from West Lothian to Nottinghamshire.
Two Confirmed Dead In East Yorkshire Helicopter Crash
It has been confirmed that two men died in a helicopter crash off the East Yorkshire coast on Tuesday afternoon. The Bell JetRanger crashed at about 13:40 yesterday near Selwick Bay, Flamborough. It is understood that the aircraft was on its way to refuel at Humberside Airport, during a flight from West Lothian to Nottinghamshire.
19 September 2013
Mother Denies Manslaughter Of Son Found Starved To Death
A 43-year-old woman has been charged with the manslaughter of her son, whose body was found in his cot almost two years after he had died. The mummified body of Hamzah Khan was found at his family home in Bradford, West Yorkshire in September 2011, having laid in a cot in his mother's bedroom for 21 months after his death.
Mother Denies Manslaughter Of Son Found Starved To Death
A 43-year-old woman has been charged with the manslaughter of her son, whose body was found in his cot almost two years after he had died. The mummified body of Hamzah Khan was found at his family home in Bradford, West Yorkshire in September 2011, having laid in a cot in his mother's bedroom for 21 months after his death.
15 February 2013
Convicts Arrested Over Child Murderer Death In Prison
Two inmates have been arrested following the death in prison of a man jailed for the torture and murder of his partner's two-year-old daughter. In February 2009 Subhan Anwar was sentenced to a minimum 23-years after he was convicted of murdering Sanam Navsarka, of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
Convicts Arrested Over Child Murderer Death In Prison
Two inmates have been arrested following the death in prison of a man jailed for the torture and murder of his partner's two-year-old daughter. In February 2009 Subhan Anwar was sentenced to a minimum 23-years after he was convicted of murdering Sanam Navsarka, of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
26 October 2010
Worboy's Inquiry Reaches 102 Women
Police have reported the number of suspected victims to contact them regarding a serial sex attacker has reached 102. In April 2009 John Worboys, a London taxi driver, was jailed after he was found guilty of 19 charges of drugging and sexually assaulting 12 women.
Worboy's Inquiry Reaches 102 Women
Police have reported the number of suspected victims to contact them regarding a serial sex attacker has reached 102. In April 2009 John Worboys, a London taxi driver, was jailed after he was found guilty of 19 charges of drugging and sexually assaulting 12 women.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Another cloudy and mild night with the odd spot of light drizzle. More widespread outbreaks of rain will spread southeast into western parts of Tyrone, Fermanagh and Derry late in the night. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
