AN investigation into a North Sea helicopter crash which killed four oil workers has so far found no evidence of technical failure.
Three men and a woman died when a Super Puma plunged into the sea off Shetland on August 23. There were 14 survivors. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has said that "to date, no evidence of a causal technical failure has been identified".
It added: "However, detailed examination of the CVFDR (combined voice and flight data recorder) data and the helicopter wreckage is continuing."
The helicopter was travelling from the Borgsten Dolphin support vessel when it came down en route to Sumburgh Airport with 16 passengers and two crew on board. Duncan Munro, 46, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham; George Allison, 57, from Winchester, Hampshire; Sarah Darnley, 45, from Elgin, Moray; and 59-year-old Gary McCrossan, from Inverness, died.
The AAIB said that both the helicopter's engines were giving out power when the aircraft hit the water. It said data downloaded from the black box on Sunday showed that the flight approach of the Super Puma was normal until three miles from the airport. At two miles it was below its correct path.
The report said: "The rate of descent remained constant for a period, before increasing rapidly. Shortly thereafter the helicopter, which was intact, struck the sea in a near level pitch attitude with a slight right bank.
"Both engines were delivering power until impact."
All North Sea Super Puma flights were suspended in the aftermath of the crash but operators later took the decision to resume service.
Pat Rafferty, Scottish Unite secretary, said: "We reiterate our call not to delay on the immediate steps the industry can take now regarding offshore helicopter safety such as reducing passenger capacity, seat re-configuration and re-calibrating survival training models in order to maximise the safety of workers."
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