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Crashed helicopter gearbox failed Crashed helicopter gearbox failed
(40 minutes later)
An initial report into the North Sea helicopter crash which killed 16 people has found that the aircraft suffered a "catastrophic failure".An initial report into the North Sea helicopter crash which killed 16 people has found that the aircraft suffered a "catastrophic failure".
The report said the failure occurred in the main gearbox, resulting in what it described as "detachment of the main rotor assembly".The report said the failure occurred in the main gearbox, resulting in what it described as "detachment of the main rotor assembly".
The report also urgently recommended that "additional inspections" be carried out on other Super Pumas.The report also urgently recommended that "additional inspections" be carried out on other Super Pumas.
The report added that the gearbox failure is not yet understood.The report added that the gearbox failure is not yet understood.
In the report, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said: "Examination of the wreckage indicates that the accident occurred following a catastrophic failure of the main rotor gearbox.In the report, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said: "Examination of the wreckage indicates that the accident occurred following a catastrophic failure of the main rotor gearbox.
Immediately after impact he saw the four main rotor blades, still connected at their hub, strike the water. Around this time, he also heard two bangs, close together AAIB report, quoting crash eyewitness
"This resulted in the detachment of the main rotor head from the helicopter and was rapidly followed by main rotor blade strikes on the pylon and tail boom, which became severed from the fuselage."This resulted in the detachment of the main rotor head from the helicopter and was rapidly followed by main rotor blade strikes on the pylon and tail boom, which became severed from the fuselage.
"It is apparent that there was also a rupture in the right-hand engine casing.""It is apparent that there was also a rupture in the right-hand engine casing."
It added that the investigation revealed that the gearbox had suffered a "major failure", which was not yet fully understood.It added that the investigation revealed that the gearbox had suffered a "major failure", which was not yet fully understood.
The AAIB report recommended the helicopter's manufacturer, Eurocopter, should carry out "additional inspections and enhanced monitoring" on its AS332L2 models of Super Puma helicopters, to ensure the airworthiness of the gearboxes.
It also recommended that the European Aviation Safety Agency evaluates these checks and, when satisfied, makes them compulsory.
In addition, investigators advised that Eurocopter improves its gearbox monitoring and warning systems on its AS332L2 helicopters.
Eyewitness account
Investigators said the black box flight recorder found that, after take-off at 1303 BST, the crew had been engaged in "routine cockpit activities" and there were no problems.
At 1354 BST the co-pilot made a routine call to say the estimated time of arrival at Aberdeen Airport was 1414 BST.
Twelve seconds after this, one of the pilots issued a mayday call, which was picked up by air traffic controllers.
Air traffic controllers tried unsuccessfully to contact the crew, before asking the crew of another helicopter in the area to examine an area based on the Super Puma's last radar position.
The report said radar information showed the helicopter flying inbound towards Aberdeen at 2,000ft, climbing momentarily to 2,200ft, then turning right and "descending rapidly".
An eyewitness working on a supply vessel near the crash site heard the helicopter and saw it come down before it hit the sea.
The report states: "Immediately after impact he saw the four main rotor blades, still connected at their hub, strike the water.
"Around this time, he also heard two bangs, close together.
"He immediately raised the alarm and the ship turned towards the accident site, which by now was marked by a rising column of grey then black smoke."
Prince Charles will attend a memorial service in Aberdeen
A memorial service for those who died is to be held on Wednesday in Aberdeen.A memorial service for those who died is to be held on Wednesday in Aberdeen.
It will be attended by the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay.It will be attended by the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay.
The service will be held in Aberdeen's St Nicholas' Kirk and conducted by the Rev Andrew Jolly, chaplain to the North Sea oil and gas industry.The service will be held in Aberdeen's St Nicholas' Kirk and conducted by the Rev Andrew Jolly, chaplain to the North Sea oil and gas industry.
The 14 passengers and two crew were returning from BP's Miller platform when the helicopter crashed in the sea, 11 miles north-east of Peterhead on April 1.The 14 passengers and two crew were returning from BP's Miller platform when the helicopter crashed in the sea, 11 miles north-east of Peterhead on April 1.
The bodies of the victims have all been recovered and identified.The bodies of the victims have all been recovered and identified.
Half of the victims came from the north east of Scotland, seven from the rest of the UK, and one from Latvia.Half of the victims came from the north east of Scotland, seven from the rest of the UK, and one from Latvia.