AAIB report AS332 L2 Super Puma, G-WNSB

[Ye Olde Pilot]

http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/AAIB%20Bulletin%2010-2013.pdf

No surprises there.
The recorded data show that at three miles from the
runway threshold the helicopter was on the published
horizontal and vertical profile of the approach to
Runway 09, with the airspeed decreasing steadily. At
about two miles from the runway threshold the helicopter
was approximately 240 feet below the vertical approach
profile, with a rate of descent of about 500 feet per
minute, and an airspeed of 68 knots.
The airspeed continued to reduce to below 30 knots and
as it did so the helicopter pitched increasingly nose-up.
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

[Bravo73]

FYI, that isn't the final report. It is the same Special Bulletin that was published on 5th September 2013.

http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/S6-2013%20AS332%20L2%20Super%20Puma,%20G-WNSB%2010-13.pdf

[Ye Olde Pilot]

With no further updates it's likely the outcome will be the one we expected.

Controlled flight in to terrain.

Or in tabloid speak 'Pilot Error'

There is no further info in the bulletin because the facts are the same.

Move the bits of the jigsaw as much as you like the picture remains the same.

Two skilled pilots let the helicopter descend below the glide path in to the sea.
The recorded data show that at three miles from the
runway threshold the helicopter was on the published
horizontal and vertical profile of the approach to
Runway 09, with the airspeed decreasing steadily. At
about two miles from the runway threshold the helicopter
was approximately 240 feet below the vertical approach
profile, with a rate of descent of about 500 feet per
minute, and an airspeed of 68 knots.
The airspeed continued to reduce to below 30 knots and
as it did so the helicopter pitched increasingly nose-up.
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.
Summary
To date, no evidence of a causal technical failure has
been identified; however, detailed examination of the
CVFDR data and the helicopter wreckage is continuing.

[Thomas coupling]

Incipient Vortex Ring - copy book.:ugh:

[Bravo73]

There is also a (very long) thread already discussing this:

http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/522069-as332l2-ditching-off-shetland-23rd-august-2013-a.html

:confused: