Cause 'not mechanical'

30 January 2007 BBC News website

No evidence of major mechanical failure has been found in connection with the Morecambe helicopter, a preliminary report has revealed.

Flight recorders show the crew had been approaching the platform but had become unhappy with the manoeuvre and aborted their attempt to land.

The AAIB report said: "A review of the recorded data to date has not indicated any problems of a technical nature and no helicopter manoeuvres have been identified which were not in response to flight control inputs.

Also, from Guardian Unlimited

Co-pilot Simon Foddering, 33, from Preston, flew the craft from the Millom West platform at 6.26pm and was around 500 yards from North Morecambe when he got into difficulties. Flight recorders show the crew had been approaching the platform but had become unhappy with the manoeuvre and aborted their attempt to land. Mr Foddering began a "go-around" but struggled and asked for help before commander Stephen Potton, 52, took over the controls.

The helicopter, which was pitched forward at an angle of 38 degrees and banked over to the right also at an angle of 38 degrees, levelled out, but continued to gain speed. It began to roll over to the right again and when it hit the water it was travelling at a speed of around 126 knots.

The AAIB report said: "The conclusion of this preliminary examination is that there are no signs of pre-impact malfunction of any major mechanical components, including the tail rotor and its drive shaft. A review of the recorded data to date has not indicated any problems of a technical nature and no helicopter manoeuvres have been identified which were not in response to flight control inputs.