Mel Effluent
Agreed. The FAI is very circumspect. IF these actions had been taken, or taken differently, and IF a whole nother set of holes had lined up in the Swiss cheese, then its is POSSIBLE (not certain or even probable) that these actions MIGHT (not would) have produced a different outcome.
Thats a long way from the press headlines 'accident could have been prevented'.
The media reporting is, of course, intended to hound the companies and managements involved - and to prolong the story.
But its single greatest effect is to prolong the agony for the bereaved families.
If there is one thing the FAI makes plain it is that there is no single action, individual or business upon which this tragedy can be blamed. For the media, or ambulance-chasing lawyers, or anyone else to try to tell the families otherwise is to heap new cruelty on their enduring suffering.
And before anyone leaps to another wrong conclusion, I have no professional connection to the manufacturer, operator or other such interested party. My profesional involvement these days is all with people who fly as pax on these aircraft.
The offshore, aviation and wider Scottish comunities responded with great dignity to the loss of 85N. It would be best for everyone if we accept the Sherrif Principal's findings that 'there is no smoking gun' with more of that same dignity. And then go back to the continuing, meticulous, unexciting business - away from the media spotlight - of making offshore helicopter operations ever safer