Sadly, the seventh person onboard the helicopter lost in Morecambe Bay last night has not been found.
This follows a comprehensive 22 hour sea search coordinated by Liverpool Coastguard, covering up to 32 square miles of sea and involving two RAF helicopters, three RNLI lifeboats and three rig platform stand-by vessels with their associated fast response vessels.
Six bodies were recovered from the sea last night during the early stages of the rescue operation, close to where the helicopter was seen going into the sea. Wreckage from the aircraft has been recovered by rescuers as part of the investigation by the AAIB (Air Accident Investigation Branch).
The weather conditions in the area are worsening with gales forecast for the Irish Sea and Liverpool Coastguard do not plan to resume an active search and rescue operation on Friday. However, vessels in the area will be asked to continue to keep a look out and report anything found to the Coastguard.
Jim Paton, Liverpool Coastguard Operations Manager said:
Liverpool Coastguard has coordinated an intensive sea surface search lasting nearly 24 hours. The initial search last night was launched very quickly and the search area has been thoroughly covered. All that could be done in terms of search and rescue has been done and I must pay tribute to all the crews of the vessels and helicopters who spared no effort in searching in difficult conditions. Also the operations room of Liverpool Coastguard who coordinated the search. Sadly, all realistic hope has gone of finding a survivor at this stage of the operation. Our thoughts and sympathy are with the families and friends of the men involved.
Posted By: Julia Gosling
For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401
Saturday, December 30, 2006
More speculation of cause 29 December 2006
Scotsman 29 December 2006. Jim Ferguson, an aviation writer.
He said that control failure, gearbox problems "or, God forbid, a blade coming off" were among possible mechanical explanations, while human error could not be ruled out.
A fractured rotor blade was pinpointed as the probable cause of a North Sea helicopter crash that killed 11 people in 2002.
"At present, there is one big question-mark hanging over the crash," added Mr Ferguson. He said the most recent serious accident in Europe involving a similar aircraft was in 1988, when a helicopter crashed 13 miles north of Rotterdam. The accident was attributed to "pilot disorientation".
He said that control failure, gearbox problems "or, God forbid, a blade coming off" were among possible mechanical explanations, while human error could not be ruled out.
A fractured rotor blade was pinpointed as the probable cause of a North Sea helicopter crash that killed 11 people in 2002.
"At present, there is one big question-mark hanging over the crash," added Mr Ferguson. He said the most recent serious accident in Europe involving a similar aircraft was in 1988, when a helicopter crashed 13 miles north of Rotterdam. The accident was attributed to "pilot disorientation".
Friday, December 29, 2006
1st speculation about the cause
According to the North West Evening Mail on 29 December 2006 Flight International magazine’s safety editor David Learmount says the evidence points to a rotor problem.
He said: “It could have had trouble with its tail rotor. There are other reasons but that is the most likely one.
“Something went wrong suddenly. We do not know what it was. It must have taken the pilots by surprise because they did not have time to make a call.”
He said: “It could have had trouble with its tail rotor. There are other reasons but that is the most likely one.
“Something went wrong suddenly. We do not know what it was. It must have taken the pilots by surprise because they did not have time to make a call.”
Summary of known facts 30 December 2006
Helicopter = Eurocopter AS365N ("Dauphin")
20 years old but highly regulated by Civil Aviation Authority, so most components will have been replaced over the years.
Also, many safety devices will have been added.
They are twin engined, but are powered through the same rotor and gearbox.
Travelling to Millom West platform, approximately 25 miles from the coast. This is a 'normally unattended platform.' People were obviously there on the day, probably performing some maintenance activity.
The helicopter had left Blackpool airport and visited two other platforms on its way to Millom West. It was due to return to Blackpool.
The people on Millom West saw the helicopter crash, and so were able to raise the alarm immediately. The helicopter did not send any distress signal.
According to Reuters on 28 December 2006 the helicopter veered to the left before crashing 500 metres short of the platform.
These helicopters can float, and given that no distress call was put out, it seems that this crash happened very quickly and violently.
Search and rescue conditions were considered to be relatively good with relatively calm seas, although it was dark. The sea would have been cold reducing the time of survival, but it seems that the occupants were probably killed by the impact or very soon after.
20 years old but highly regulated by Civil Aviation Authority, so most components will have been replaced over the years.
Also, many safety devices will have been added.
They are twin engined, but are powered through the same rotor and gearbox.
Travelling to Millom West platform, approximately 25 miles from the coast. This is a 'normally unattended platform.' People were obviously there on the day, probably performing some maintenance activity.
The helicopter had left Blackpool airport and visited two other platforms on its way to Millom West. It was due to return to Blackpool.
The people on Millom West saw the helicopter crash, and so were able to raise the alarm immediately. The helicopter did not send any distress signal.
According to Reuters on 28 December 2006 the helicopter veered to the left before crashing 500 metres short of the platform.
These helicopters can float, and given that no distress call was put out, it seems that this crash happened very quickly and violently.
Search and rescue conditions were considered to be relatively good with relatively calm seas, although it was dark. The sea would have been cold reducing the time of survival, but it seems that the occupants were probably killed by the impact or very soon after.
Petrofac Statement 28 December 2006
Following the helicopter crash off the coast of Morecambe Bay yesterday evening, Petrofac can confirm that one of its employees who was on board the helicopter is currently unaccounted for.
The relatives of our missing employee, Keith Smith, have been notified and support is being given to the family by Petrofac.
Petrofac continues to work closely with its customer Centrica and the relevant authorities on the search and rescue operation.
Keith Smith is seconded to Petrofac’s joint venture, Costain Petrofac.
Further information will be released as soon as it becomes available.
Media calls: 0845 271 2200
The relatives of our missing employee, Keith Smith, have been notified and support is being given to the family by Petrofac.
Petrofac continues to work closely with its customer Centrica and the relevant authorities on the search and rescue operation.
Keith Smith is seconded to Petrofac’s joint venture, Costain Petrofac.
Further information will be released as soon as it becomes available.
Media calls: 0845 271 2200
CHC Helicopter Corporation Statement 27 December 2006
VANCOUVER, Dec. 27 /CNW/ - CHC Helicopter Corporation ("CHC") (TSX: FLY.A
and FLY.B; NYSE: FLI) regrets to confirm that one of its Eurocopter AS365N
type aircraft crashed in the East Irish Sea at approximately 1835 hours, UK
time today (Wednesday December 27, 2006). Six bodies have now been recovered
from the area. The emergency services are presently continuing their search
for the remaining person involved. The aircraft was carrying five passengers
and two crew.
CHC President and Chief Executive Officer Sylvain Allard said: "All of us
are deeply, deeply saddened by this tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers
are with the families of the victims and we are doing everything we can to
help with the Search and Rescue operation. This is a small community and these
are our friends and family."
The accident happened near the North Morecambe platform, on a flight from
the Millom West platform to the North Morecambe platform. CHC is liaising
closely with the authorities in the ongoing search. Further details will be
released when more information becomes available.
For further information: For media and other inquiries, please contact:
Chris Flanagan, Director of Communications, CHC Helicopter Corporation, (778)
999-3175
and FLY.B; NYSE: FLI) regrets to confirm that one of its Eurocopter AS365N
type aircraft crashed in the East Irish Sea at approximately 1835 hours, UK
time today (Wednesday December 27, 2006). Six bodies have now been recovered
from the area. The emergency services are presently continuing their search
for the remaining person involved. The aircraft was carrying five passengers
and two crew.
CHC President and Chief Executive Officer Sylvain Allard said: "All of us
are deeply, deeply saddened by this tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers
are with the families of the victims and we are doing everything we can to
help with the Search and Rescue operation. This is a small community and these
are our friends and family."
The accident happened near the North Morecambe platform, on a flight from
the Millom West platform to the North Morecambe platform. CHC is liaising
closely with the authorities in the ongoing search. Further details will be
released when more information becomes available.
For further information: For media and other inquiries, please contact:
Chris Flanagan, Director of Communications, CHC Helicopter Corporation, (778)
999-3175
Centrica Statement 28 December 2006
Sam Laidlaw, Chief Executive, Centrica:
“All of us at Centrica have been deeply saddened by the events of last night. The priority for us is to provide as much support as we can to the family and friends and colleagues of those who died.
Those on board the aircraft involved in the tragic accident were:
From Centrica:
o Les Ahmed, married age 48, South Shields
o Alf Neasham, married age 57, Durham
o Jakie Shaw, married age 51, Fife
o Bob Warburton, married age 60, Heysham
From Costain Petrofac Limited:
o Keith Smith
From CHC Scotia - the helicopter operations:
o Steve Potton
o Simon Foddering
Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and colleagues at this terrible time.
All of us who are involved with the production of gas at Centrica have made health and safety our highest priority. Despite the safety routines that are in place for every one of our shuttle flights, we have to come to terms with the terrible news that our colleagues have been lost during yesterday’s crash.
This is the first major incident to affect our operations in Morecambe Bay since they began 21 years ago.
I would also like to thank all of the local people and the agencies including the police, coastguard, lifeboat crews, RAF and indeed our own emergency response teams who have all assisted in the rescue operation so swiftly and professionally.
We will work closely with all involved to understand the circumstances which caused this terrible tragedy.”
Enquiries:
Centrica relatives-only help-line 01524 864585
Centrica Media Relations 01753 494085
Andrew Hanson 07979 566465
Scotia (helicopter operator) 01224 846001
Background information about Centrica can be found at www.centrica.com
Background information about Scotia the helicopter company can be found at www.scotia.ca
“All of us at Centrica have been deeply saddened by the events of last night. The priority for us is to provide as much support as we can to the family and friends and colleagues of those who died.
Those on board the aircraft involved in the tragic accident were:
From Centrica:
o Les Ahmed, married age 48, South Shields
o Alf Neasham, married age 57, Durham
o Jakie Shaw, married age 51, Fife
o Bob Warburton, married age 60, Heysham
From Costain Petrofac Limited:
o Keith Smith
From CHC Scotia - the helicopter operations:
o Steve Potton
o Simon Foddering
Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and colleagues at this terrible time.
All of us who are involved with the production of gas at Centrica have made health and safety our highest priority. Despite the safety routines that are in place for every one of our shuttle flights, we have to come to terms with the terrible news that our colleagues have been lost during yesterday’s crash.
This is the first major incident to affect our operations in Morecambe Bay since they began 21 years ago.
I would also like to thank all of the local people and the agencies including the police, coastguard, lifeboat crews, RAF and indeed our own emergency response teams who have all assisted in the rescue operation so swiftly and professionally.
We will work closely with all involved to understand the circumstances which caused this terrible tragedy.”
Enquiries:
Centrica relatives-only help-line 01524 864585
Centrica Media Relations 01753 494085
Andrew Hanson 07979 566465
Scotia (helicopter operator) 01224 846001
Background information about Centrica can be found at www.centrica.com
Background information about Scotia the helicopter company can be found at www.scotia.ca
Police Statement 28 December 2006
Victims Named
The six men who died in the Morecambe Bay Helicopter crash have been named as:
Pilot Stephen Potton – from Blackpool
Pilot Simon Foddering – from Preston
Passengers
Robert Warburton – from Heysham, Lancs
Leslie Ahmed – from South Shields
John Shaw – from Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland
Alfred Neasham – from Durham
Missing
Keith Smith, from Stockton-on-Tees.
Chief Superintendent Russ Weaver chaired a press briefing at 11am at Blackpool police station. He was accompanied by Sam Laidlaw, Chief Executive Officer Centrica, Keith Mullett, Managing Director, CHC Scotia, Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell, and Steven Travis, Coastguard Manager.
This is what Mr Weaver said:
“At approximately 6.30pm on Wednesday (December 27) a helicopter, owned by CHC Scotia from Blackpool airport was on approach to one of the gas platforms owned by Centrica some 25 miles off the Lancashire coast.
"The flight was a routine one moving staff between rigs. As it was approaching one of the drilling platforms it crashed into the sea. The weather was considered normal for this time of the year and none of the witnesses have described any unusual event as the aircraft approached the rig that would account for the fact that the helicopter crashed into the sea some 500 yards short of the platform.
"Seven people were believed to be aboard the helicopter when it crashed.
"An air and sea search was commenced and I regret to say that six bodies have been recovered from the sea. The seventh person is still missing and the search operation is still ongoing. Realistically we must accept that the likelihood of survival is slim.
"The families have been informed of the recovery of bodies and are receiving support both in Lancashire and from colleagues around the country. No formal identification has yet taken place but we are in a position to release details of those aboard the helicopter.
"The crash is now subject of a full investigation which will involve the police and the Air Accident Investigation Branch. The co-operation of all parties including CHC Scotia and Centrica has been invaluable.
"We are mindful that six people have lost their lives and hopes are fading for a seventh still missing. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the relatives and friends of all those involved in this tragic accident.’’
SIX bodies were recovered from the sea after a helicopter crashed near to an oil rig in Morecambe Bay some 24 miles off the coast yesterday (Wednesday, 27 December 2006).
A major rescue operation was launched after the helicopter with seven people on board came down shortly after 6.30pm. RAF helicopters joined the coastguard in the operation and they were joined by lifeboats and support vessels from the rigs.
The search for the seventh passenger continued throughout the night.
Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell said it was a major rescue operation. The response had been quick because people on one of the rigs had actually seen the helicopter crash.
Lancashire Constabulary have established two telephone lines for worried friends and relatives to call. They are 01772-410772 and 01772-410774.
Sub navigation for the Website
The six men who died in the Morecambe Bay Helicopter crash have been named as:
Pilot Stephen Potton – from Blackpool
Pilot Simon Foddering – from Preston
Passengers
Robert Warburton – from Heysham, Lancs
Leslie Ahmed – from South Shields
John Shaw – from Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland
Alfred Neasham – from Durham
Missing
Keith Smith, from Stockton-on-Tees.
Chief Superintendent Russ Weaver chaired a press briefing at 11am at Blackpool police station. He was accompanied by Sam Laidlaw, Chief Executive Officer Centrica, Keith Mullett, Managing Director, CHC Scotia, Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell, and Steven Travis, Coastguard Manager.
This is what Mr Weaver said:
“At approximately 6.30pm on Wednesday (December 27) a helicopter, owned by CHC Scotia from Blackpool airport was on approach to one of the gas platforms owned by Centrica some 25 miles off the Lancashire coast.
"The flight was a routine one moving staff between rigs. As it was approaching one of the drilling platforms it crashed into the sea. The weather was considered normal for this time of the year and none of the witnesses have described any unusual event as the aircraft approached the rig that would account for the fact that the helicopter crashed into the sea some 500 yards short of the platform.
"Seven people were believed to be aboard the helicopter when it crashed.
"An air and sea search was commenced and I regret to say that six bodies have been recovered from the sea. The seventh person is still missing and the search operation is still ongoing. Realistically we must accept that the likelihood of survival is slim.
"The families have been informed of the recovery of bodies and are receiving support both in Lancashire and from colleagues around the country. No formal identification has yet taken place but we are in a position to release details of those aboard the helicopter.
"The crash is now subject of a full investigation which will involve the police and the Air Accident Investigation Branch. The co-operation of all parties including CHC Scotia and Centrica has been invaluable.
"We are mindful that six people have lost their lives and hopes are fading for a seventh still missing. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the relatives and friends of all those involved in this tragic accident.’’
SIX bodies were recovered from the sea after a helicopter crashed near to an oil rig in Morecambe Bay some 24 miles off the coast yesterday (Wednesday, 27 December 2006).
A major rescue operation was launched after the helicopter with seven people on board came down shortly after 6.30pm. RAF helicopters joined the coastguard in the operation and they were joined by lifeboats and support vessels from the rigs.
The search for the seventh passenger continued throughout the night.
Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell said it was a major rescue operation. The response had been quick because people on one of the rigs had actually seen the helicopter crash.
Lancashire Constabulary have established two telephone lines for worried friends and relatives to call. They are 01772-410772 and 01772-410774.
Sub navigation for the Website
Maritime & Coastguard Agency press release 27 December 2006
At twenty minutes to seven this evening, Liverpool Coastguard received a distress call from the Rig Support Vessel Highland Sprite working in a gas field in the East Irish sea.
The vessel reported a helicopter ditching in the sea near one of the rigs. The helicopter had seven people on board; two crew and five passengers.
The Highland Sprite deployed its two fast rescue craft immediately to the position of the ditched helicopter.
Liverpool Coastguard requested a helicopter to be scrambled from RAF Valley; rescue helicopter R122 was quickly airborne.
Fleetwood and barrow RNLI lifeboats were also requested to launch to search the area.
CHC Helicopter Corporation - European Operations can confirm that there has been an incident involving one of its Eurocopter AS365N type aircraft near a platform in the East Irish Sea,
The appropriate authorities have been informed and the companys emergency response team has been mobilised. Further details will be released when more information becomes available.
Posted By: Sophie Turner
For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401
The vessel reported a helicopter ditching in the sea near one of the rigs. The helicopter had seven people on board; two crew and five passengers.
The Highland Sprite deployed its two fast rescue craft immediately to the position of the ditched helicopter.
Liverpool Coastguard requested a helicopter to be scrambled from RAF Valley; rescue helicopter R122 was quickly airborne.
Fleetwood and barrow RNLI lifeboats were also requested to launch to search the area.
CHC Helicopter Corporation - European Operations can confirm that there has been an incident involving one of its Eurocopter AS365N type aircraft near a platform in the East Irish Sea,
The appropriate authorities have been informed and the companys emergency response team has been mobilised. Further details will be released when more information becomes available.
Posted By: Sophie Turner
For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401
Initial reports
I first became aware of this accident from watching the BBC1 news on the evening of the 27th. The accident had only happened a few hours before, but five bodies had already been recovered. The report suggested search and rescue was in full swing to recover the remaining two people that were known to be on board.
Living in North Wales, which is essentially on the same bit of sea as Morecambe bay, I knew the weather was pretty benign at the time with light winds, little or no precipitation and temperatures above freezing. Given that in the previous weeks we had had some very extreme winds, it seemed ironic that it was when everything was calm that the accident happened.
It would have been very dark when the aircraft crashed, but that would have been entirely normal for the helicopter movements.
Living in North Wales, which is essentially on the same bit of sea as Morecambe bay, I knew the weather was pretty benign at the time with light winds, little or no precipitation and temperatures above freezing. Given that in the previous weeks we had had some very extreme winds, it seemed ironic that it was when everything was calm that the accident happened.
It would have been very dark when the aircraft crashed, but that would have been entirely normal for the helicopter movements.
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