A FATAL accident inquiry into a North Sea helicopter crash that killed four oil workers is to proceed next week, a court has heard.
Details into the tragic incident are to be heard seven years on.
The Super Puma aircraft was carrying 18 people when it ditched on its approach to Sumburgh, Shetland, in 2013.
Elgin woman Sarah Darnley, 45, (pictured above) Inverness man Gary McCrossan, 59, Duncan Munro, 46, from Bishop Auckland in County Durham, and 57-year-old George Allison, from Winchesterin Hampshire, died in the incident. Their pictures are presented here in order.
At a preliminary hearing held virtually today, Martin Richardson QC said the Crown is prepared for the start of the inquiry next week.
It comes four years after a report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) found the pilots had failed to properly monitor the flight instruments and notice their airspeed was decreasing until it was too late to avoid plunging into the sea off Shetland.
The helicopter was returning from the Borgsten Dolphin support vessel to Sumburgh Airport and no mechanical fault was discovered.
Two of those who died were unable to escape from the upturned fuselage. Another was found floating on the surface of the water and a fourth passenger had managed to make their way on to a life raft before they died.
AAIB representatives and survivors of the helicopter crash are among those expected to give evidence during the inquiry.
Derek Pyle, sheriff principal of Grampian, Highland and Islands, said holding the inquiry remotely will ensure no further time is lost.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel