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.
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