Police helicopter crashed into Glasgow pub killing nine after BOTH engines failed, say accident investigators
- Eurocopter EC135 plunged into roof of Clutha bar in November last year
- Both engines 'flamed out' during final stages of flight, says interim report
- But cause of failure is unknown - with 76kg of fuel left in helicopter's tank
- Investigators trying to determine why no Mayday call was made by pilot
- Also looking at why aircraft was not able to make a controlled landing
- Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has not attempted analysis
- Killed all three people onboard, as well as a further seven pub-goers
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The police helicopter which crashed into a busy Glasgow pub killing 10 people suffered a double engine failure, an interim report has revealed.
The Eurocopter EC135 plunged into the roof of the Clutha bar in November last year - claiming the lives of all three people onboard and a further seven pub-goers.
Now, Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has found that both engines 'flamed out' during the final stages of the flight.
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Tragedy: The police helicopter which crashed into a busy Glasgow pub killing 10 people suffered a double engine failure, an interim report has revealed. Above, the aftermath of the crash in November last year
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Wreckage: The Eurocopter EC135 plunged into the roof of the Clutha bar in the city centre - claiming the lives of all three people onboard and a further seven pub-goers. Above, emergency personnel examine the wreckage
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Recovery: The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has found both engines 'flamed out' during the flight
However, it added that the cause of problem was not clear - with 76kg (168lb) of fuel left in the helicopter's main fuel tank when it crashed.
Investigators are also trying to determine why no Mayday call was made before the crash, and why the aircraft was not able to make a controlled landing.
In its report, the AAIB said the helicopter had 400kg (882lb) of fuel on board - sufficient for about one hour and 35 minutes of flight - when it left Glasgow City Heliport at 8.45pm on November 29.
At 10.18pm, the pilot requested clearance from air traffic control to re-enter the Glasgow control zone to return to the heliport.
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Mission: The report added that the cause of problem was not clear - with 76kg (168lb) of fuel left in the helicopter's main fuel tank when it crashed. Above, rescue workers lift the helicopter wreckage from the bar
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Poignant: Flowers and tributes are left at the scene of the helicopter crash on November 29 last year
This was approved and no further radio transmissions were received from the pilot.
The report went on: 'Recorded data indicates that, in the latter stages of the flight, the right engine flamed out, and shortly after the left engine flamed out.
'The helicopter descended and stuck the roof of the Clutha Vaults bar at a high rate of descent, in an upright attitude. Evidence indicates that the rotor blades and Fenestron tail rotor were not rotating at the moment of impact.
'The last recoded radar position for the helicopter was at 10.22pm showing it at an altitude of approximately 400ft (122m) amsl (above mean sea level).'
'Recorded data indicates that, in the latter stages of the flight, the right engine flamed out, and shortly after the left engine flamed out'
AAIB report
The AAIB said it had been closely examining the helicopter's fuel system, but there was no evidence that fuel had leaked from the aircraft before or during the impact with the pub.
The report said: 'Examination of all internal pipework and transfer passages has not revealed any pre- or post-impact failure and all paths still permit (correct) uninterrupted fuel flow.
'It has been established that unrestricted flow was also available from each supply tank to the corresponding engine fuel control unit, through the relevant fuel shut-off valves which were found set to the 'open' position.'
More than 100 people were in the popular Clutha bar, near the River Clyde, when the helicopter plunged into the venue's roof.
Among the fatalities were the doomed aircraft's crew members - David Traill, 51, and police officers Kirsty Nelis, 36, and Tony Collins, 43.
Six pub-goers were also killed when the helicopter struck, including Robert Jenkins, 61, Mark O'Prey, 44, Colin Gibson, 33, John McGarrigle, 57, Gary Arthur, 48, and Samuel McGhee, 56.
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Inquiry: Investigators are also trying to determine why no Mayday call was made before the crash, and why the aircraft was not able to make a controlled landing. Above, the aftermath of the fatal incident
Customer Joe Cusker, 59, was pulled from the wreckage alive, but died in hospital from his injuries almost two weeks later.
A further 32 people were injured in the crash - 12 of whom suffered serious injuries.
In the wake of the crash, there have been calls for a public inquiry into the safety of all commercial flights in the UK.
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Victim: Helicopter pilot David Traill, 51, had been flying back to the Glasgow City Heliport when the aircraft was seen falling from the sky
Last month, it emerged that the helicopter operator had begun making interim payments to the victims.
Thompsons Solicitors, who are representing more than 50 victims of the Clutha tragedy, said the move would help their clients cover loss of salary while compensation is agreed.
John Fyall, spokesman for helicopter operator Bond Air Services, said: 'This is another step in the AAIB's systematic investigative process. All concerned understand this process will be a long and complex investigation.
'While the investigation continues, we would urge against speculation. We owe it to the memories of those who died, those who were injured, and the families affected by this tragedy to help the investigation team answer as many questions as possible and discover exactly what happened.
'We continue to support the investigations and our thoughts remain with all those who have been touched by this tragedy. We also continue to work with Glasgow City Council and other parties to support bereaved families and the local community.'
Meanwhile, airline pilots' group Balpa said today's report - the second interim inquiry into the crash - is 'the next step in establishing what happened in Glasgow'.
A spokesman said: 'Pilots want every flight to be safe through full and proper investigation of incidents and accidents like this one.
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On duty: Police officers Tony Colins, 43, and Kirsty Nellis, 36, were both on board the helicopter when it crashed
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Devastating: Pub-goers Mark O'Prey, 44, and Samuel McGhee, 56, died when the helicopter struck the venue
'We now know that the engines were not running at the time of the crash and it appears this was to do with the fuel system. However, pilots, like the AAIB, will not be satisfied until this is explored further and the exact reason for that failure is identified.'
'The AAIB have our continued support in their work.'
No CCTV recordings had been obtained which captured the end of the flight - while recorded radio transmissions did not contain any reference by the crew to difficulties with the aircraft.
The AAIB stressed today that it had not attempted an analysis of the facts in the interim report - known as a special bulletin.
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Deceased: Colin Gibson, 33, left, was killed in the Glasgow helicopter crash, along with Robert Jenkins, 61
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Sad: John McGarrigle, 57, died in the disaster, as did Gary Arthur, 48, who was the first victim named by police
It said it had published the document 'to provide more factual information and an update on the progress of the investigation'.
It comes as a book of condolences signed by MPs has been handed to the city by Commons Speaker John Bercow.
Mr Bercow presented Glasgow's Lord Provost Sadie Docherty with the book at the City Chambers this afternoon.
The book was placed in the House of Commons for MPs, peers and staff to sign in the aftermath of the tragedy.
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Mark of respect: It comes as a book of condolences signed by MPs has been handed to Glasgow's Lord Provost Sadie Docherty by Commons Speaker John Bercow (pictured)
Glasgow City Council's own book of condolence was signed by the Prince of Wales when he visited the city to meet survivors and members of the emergency services.
The council headquarters also holds books from the Scottish Parliament and Liverpool Town Hall.
Earlier today, the Lord Provost said: 'I am touched that Mr Bercow is visiting our city to personally hand over the House of Commons Book of Condolence. I look forward to meeting him and making him welcome.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2559563/Glasgow-helicopter-crash-Double-engine-failure-blame-say-accident-investigators.html#ixzz2tKpq6LST
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