Another North Sea helicopter accident.

The interim accident report puts it down to catastrophic gearbox failure followed by detachment of the rotor head and a blade strike on the tail boom. Read behind the technical information and it sounds a nightmare, though mercifully short for those involved, RIP.

http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources/G-REDL%20-%20Initial%20AAIB%20Report.pdf

The black box has been recovered. The last words of the pilot are reported.

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2500078.0.Black_box_recovered_from_crash_helicopter.php

Names of the victims are recorded whilst the seabed is searched for the wreckage.

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1154431?UserKey=

Was an AS332L2, the feeling is some sort of catastrophic mechanical failure.

Dreadful tragedy, half the men lost came from Aberdeen or surrounds.

Heli movements down the years are “ten-a-penny” here, not a day goes by when you don’t hear or see them.

But tragedies like this brings it home that it’s dangerous work & that won’t change.

Worse that it was only 6wks ago that we all breathed a huge sigh of relief, only for the fatal Newfoundland crash, now this one yesterday.

But the heli is the best mode of transport, all you can do is make it the safest you can – but machines can & do fail, & sometimes catastrophically.

Bond did not fly today, & BP are using other operators – but I think flights will resume in the days ahead. BP have not withdrawn the contract permanently.

Very sad indeed. Its a tough place to work.

I just heard on the radio BP’s top man in Aberdeen say that they had suspended their contract with Bond

It is now reported that there are no survivors.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/04/02/scotland.helicopter.ditch/index.html

Sad news indeed. 🙁

AS332L Super Puma with eight fatalities and eight missing.

Not a good time for the industry.:(

Condolances to those immediately involved and my thoughts go out to those who have to keep on going over the North Sea with this on their minds.