I have re read the thread and appologise to Heliport - he has already posted the answer to my second Q. He quotes the BBC who say that the aircraft went from the airfield to the Clipper rig, then departed Clipper for Sana Fe Monarch. The accident occurred approx 2 miles from Santa Fe Monarch - according to the BBC. Apparently from all the quotes thus far, the accident was a catastrophic event that prevented any semblance of a controlled ditching.
As echoed from the posts above, with such a well run, experienced operation, flying such a safe and proven airframe, such accidents are extremely rare.
Do they have CVRs and FDRs fitted to these airframes?
Edited to delete questions that may be interpreted as undue speculation.
Last edited by helmet fire; 19th Jul 2002 at 07:16.