Morecambe Bay helo down
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: East Anglia
My heart is heavy this morning having just caught up with the news. It seems all the more poignant to lose loved ones at this time of year. I would like to add my sympathies to those expressed here and elsewhere on Pprune and to say that my thoughts and prayers are with those grieving. There are no words that can heal the loss, but perhaps the knowledge that many people care may bring a little comfort.
May your God bless you.
The Last Black Shed
May your God bless you.
The Last Black Shed
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Stuck on 50:30 North
I agree with Wirlybird. Aviation is an incestuous industry. We all know of someone, or somebody knows somebody,etc, etc. Incidents like this affect us all in one way or another.
I was lucky enough to work out of Blackpool in the old Bond days, and it was a fine set-up with some wonderful people working there. I feel great sadness at their loss.
Through the grapevine I have an unconfirmed report that one of the crew was a mate of mine, which compounds my feelings.
I send my condolences to all concerned, and hope the press keep to facts and not digress to realms of fantasy and hearsay, which would do great damage to our industry.
Aviation is unforgiving,
It is not a human craft.
We merely borrow it from the gods,
and the gods are unforgiving.
BB.
I was lucky enough to work out of Blackpool in the old Bond days, and it was a fine set-up with some wonderful people working there. I feel great sadness at their loss.
Through the grapevine I have an unconfirmed report that one of the crew was a mate of mine, which compounds my feelings.
I send my condolences to all concerned, and hope the press keep to facts and not digress to realms of fantasy and hearsay, which would do great damage to our industry.
Aviation is unforgiving,
It is not a human craft.
We merely borrow it from the gods,
and the gods are unforgiving.
BB.
Guest
Posts: n/a
not wishing to start speculating. just a general related question, from someone who has never flown offshore.
would an aircraft like this have floats? or is that just the larger superpuma? when ditching in the sea, what is the biggest danger? not getting out quick enough, or the aircraft turning over? or the high impact speed?
would an aircraft like this have floats? or is that just the larger superpuma? when ditching in the sea, what is the biggest danger? not getting out quick enough, or the aircraft turning over? or the high impact speed?
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 6
From: UK
not wishing to start speculating. just a general related question, from someone who has never flown offshore.
would an aircraft like this have floats? or is that just the larger superpuma? when ditching in the sea, what is the biggest danger? not getting out quick enough, or the aircraft turning over? or the high impact speed?
would an aircraft like this have floats? or is that just the larger superpuma? when ditching in the sea, what is the biggest danger? not getting out quick enough, or the aircraft turning over? or the high impact speed?
The impact speed should not be to high it all depends in what part of the flight you are ditching. If you are planning on ditching then the speed will be minimal.
The Captains flying out of Blackpool are all proper hightime pilots and they all have been doing that particular job for more than 8 years at a minimum.
I won't say anymore except they are sorely missed!!!!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 777
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From: Harwich
Daily Mirror - in a change from its usual subterranean standard - has a picture of not only the correct type in its 28-Dec-06 edition, but the actual aircraft on a previous flight, which Michael Mulford of the RAF Rescue Centre indicates is G-BLUN.
RIP
RIP
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,167
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From: Location: Location:
Good God
"Golf Uniform November you are cleared for the east about the tower"
very close to home this one
A very sad day, a very professional bunch of people, thoughts are with the families. Its difficult to remember how unforgiving this kind of operation is when you have people of this calibre making it seem so safe for literally decades without incident.
My condolences to the families
"Golf Uniform November you are cleared for the east about the tower"
very close to home this one
A very sad day, a very professional bunch of people, thoughts are with the families. Its difficult to remember how unforgiving this kind of operation is when you have people of this calibre making it seem so safe for literally decades without incident.
My condolences to the families
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 18
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From: West africa
I also worked on that contract for some time and know what a professional outfit it is from top to bottom. My heart goes out to all involved, especially to the bereaved families.
Rest in Peace.
God bless you all.
Rest in Peace.
God bless you all.
Thread Starter
Resident insomniac
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,878
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From: N54 58 34 W02 01 21
Casualties named
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6214283.stm
God rest their souls.
Police said the pilots who died were Stephen Potton, from Blackpool and Simon Foddering from Preston.
Passengers Robert Warburton from Heysham, Leslie Ahmed from South Shields, John Shaw from Kirkcaldy and Alfred Neasham from Durham also died.
A further passenger, Keith Smith from Stockton-on-Tees, is still missing.
Passengers Robert Warburton from Heysham, Leslie Ahmed from South Shields, John Shaw from Kirkcaldy and Alfred Neasham from Durham also died.
A further passenger, Keith Smith from Stockton-on-Tees, is still missing.
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 261
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From: Scotland
I worked out of Blackpool on a different operation, although I do know some of the CHC guys, mainly the ex-Bond ones.
My condolences to the families and to everyone else concerned with the CHC operation at Blackpool.
RIP
bondu
My condolences to the families and to everyone else concerned with the CHC operation at Blackpool.
RIP
bondu
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 1
From: UK
Steve Potton was the Blackpool Chief Pilot, I believe. Fodders used to fly next door to us at the West Wales Air Ambulance. A larger than life, giant of a bloke who was a pleasure to be around.
A calm but very black night last night in the area. Goldfish bowl territory.
RIP guys.
A calm but very black night last night in the area. Goldfish bowl territory.
RIP guys.
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 273
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From: The Netherlands
http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/viewar...aspx?id=449439
Barrow lifeboat spokes man Tom Collins said this morning: “The life boat has been out since 6.45pm. We did not play any part in recovering the deceased but the Barrow lifeboat has recovered two life rafts and various bits of equipment from the crashed helicopter.
There is further information from medics involved (eg no LJs infalted). All suggests this was not a controlled ditching.
Barrow lifeboat spokes man Tom Collins said this morning: “The life boat has been out since 6.45pm. We did not play any part in recovering the deceased but the Barrow lifeboat has recovered two life rafts and various bits of equipment from the crashed helicopter.
There is further information from medics involved (eg no LJs infalted). All suggests this was not a controlled ditching.
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 273
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From: The Netherlands
In memory of Simon Foddering:
http://www.lep.co.uk/ViewArticle2.as...icleID=1948266
and
http://www.lep.co.uk/ViewArticle2.as...icleID=1948890
http://www.lep.co.uk/ViewArticle2.as...icleID=1948266
and
http://www.lep.co.uk/ViewArticle2.as...icleID=1948890
Last edited by sox6; 28th December 2006 at 15:38. Reason: second link
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 273
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From: The Netherlands
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/thi...cle2108490.ece
Extracts:
Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell, of Lancashire Constabulary, said the helicopter left Blackpool at about 6pm. It flew to one rig, picked up a number of people, then flew to a second rig and was on its way to a third when it plunged into the sea.
It was 500 yards from the third rig when it "reared to the left" before ditching in the sea. Three people witnessed the aircraft's horrifying final moments.
Keith Mullett, from helicopter company CHC Scotia, said Mr Potton was the company's chief pilot in the area and described him as "extremely experienced".
An investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) has been launched.
Chief pilot Mr Potton, 51, had been with CHC Scotia for more than 20 years.
Mr Foddering, 33, was a senior first officer, who had been with the company for just over a year but was an experienced pilot in his own right, the helicopter firm said.
Centrica chief executive Mr Laidlaw said the four dead passengers all worked for the firm. The missing man, Mr Smith, worked for another firm, Costain Petrofac.
"This is the first major incident to affect our operations in Morecambe Bay since they began 21 years ago."
Coastguard manager Steve Travis said the search for the missing rig worker had been hampered by poor weather conditions and fog, and the current operation was searching a 32 square mile area.
CHC Scotia managing director Mr Mullett said the safety record of the Eurocopter the men were in was "excellent" and there were no concerns over the craft.
No mayday was sent by the craft before it ditched into the sea.
There was "substantial" wreckage after the helicopter went down. The onboard flight data recorder, or black box, has a beacon attached, and investigators are in the process of locating it.
Extracts:
Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell, of Lancashire Constabulary, said the helicopter left Blackpool at about 6pm. It flew to one rig, picked up a number of people, then flew to a second rig and was on its way to a third when it plunged into the sea.
It was 500 yards from the third rig when it "reared to the left" before ditching in the sea. Three people witnessed the aircraft's horrifying final moments.
Keith Mullett, from helicopter company CHC Scotia, said Mr Potton was the company's chief pilot in the area and described him as "extremely experienced".
An investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) has been launched.
Chief pilot Mr Potton, 51, had been with CHC Scotia for more than 20 years.
Mr Foddering, 33, was a senior first officer, who had been with the company for just over a year but was an experienced pilot in his own right, the helicopter firm said.
Centrica chief executive Mr Laidlaw said the four dead passengers all worked for the firm. The missing man, Mr Smith, worked for another firm, Costain Petrofac.
"This is the first major incident to affect our operations in Morecambe Bay since they began 21 years ago."
Coastguard manager Steve Travis said the search for the missing rig worker had been hampered by poor weather conditions and fog, and the current operation was searching a 32 square mile area.
CHC Scotia managing director Mr Mullett said the safety record of the Eurocopter the men were in was "excellent" and there were no concerns over the craft.
No mayday was sent by the craft before it ditched into the sea.
There was "substantial" wreckage after the helicopter went down. The onboard flight data recorder, or black box, has a beacon attached, and investigators are in the process of locating it.
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 893
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From: Leafy Suburbia - In the High towers
Watched this unfold on the lae News last night when they only had found 6 bodies.
One of the most tragic things for any famiy to endure and this time of year even worst for all those who lost a family member, friend or work collegue.
Also the rescue emergency services.
My thoughts and prayers for anyone who may have lost someone one in this tragedy last night
TnT
One of the most tragic things for any famiy to endure and this time of year even worst for all those who lost a family member, friend or work collegue.
Also the rescue emergency services.
My thoughts and prayers for anyone who may have lost someone one in this tragedy last night
TnT