Somebody on MFR/Facebook is saying that a family member had phoned them to say that they were on this helicopter yesterday and to quote them "chopper was shaking like a baby's cradle". My only thought here is how he knows it's the same aircraft.

Super Puma variants
 

For the un-initiated

Super Puma Variants under EASA

Breathtakingly inaccurate report of the history of the super puma from Colin Blane on Radio 4 just now which is a shame as he's normally very good

BBC are saying pilots didnt have a chance to make a mayday. Dont know if they have checked with ATC. Incident happened 2 miles off sumburgh.

I think it will be a long time before any type of super puma will carry rig workers again. Seen the same thing with the chinook.

CHC have opened a help line for relatives. 01224 296 866 (bbc news)

Is this going to result in the grounding of all Eurocopters/Puma's?

More images coming into the media:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/...18_634x430.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/...98_634x482.jpg

Daily Mail

AS332L2 Ditching off Shetland: 23rd August 2013
 

The aircraft was inbound to Sumburgh from the North Alwyn. I believe they were doing the localizer approach to Rwy 09 & had just been transferred to tower when the incident happened with no time for a Mayday. Prayers for the remaining 3 missing. :(

Any news on the crew themselves? At 13C sea temperature, they could conceivably be in cotton suits.

AS332L2 Ditching off Shetland: 23rd August 2013
 

Bravo73,

True but the immersion suit must be worn if your planning to come back from a flight within 2hours before local night so it would have been touch & go really.

AIS shows intense activity around Garths Ness which is a rocky headland west of Sumburgh at lat/long 59.884/-1.355 or grid HU364111.

The activity shows a pattern flown west of the Ness then activity along the shore including three returns to Sumburgh including one recently. The aircraft concerned is on MMSI 2161 which is one of the Bristow S-92 in CG colours (R102) and I believe may be G-MCGC. Currently on the ground at Sumburgh.


Another track shows the Lerwick lifeboat which left Lerwick at 1745UTC and left similar tracks to helicopter and is now steaming back past Horse and approaching Sumburgh Head.


The RO-RO vessel has also just left the scene where it had been steaming loop all evening south and west of the ness.

Survivor tells of loss of power.
Three missing oil workers feared dead after helicopter carrying 18 ditched at sea - Telegraph

"Fifteen men, including eight described as walking wounded, were rescued following the incident close to Sumburgh Airport.


Dr Michael Bull, a father of one of the men rescued, said his son told him the helicopter lost power suddenly and immediately ditched into the sea. He said they "had seconds" before the craft hit the water, and then turned over."

Here's hoping for a good outcome for all...

GREDL suffered cat gearbox failure, leading to detachment of main rotor. Hell to pay if this is a repeat.

AS332L2 Ditching off Shetland: 23rd August 2013
 

Does anyone know if the crew got out and if there were EC people Onboard. Thoughts are with families and friends of those missing. Hope they find them.

Witness
 

Have just heard 2nd hand the experiences from one of the passengers onboard the helicopter. This not a a quote, but the message was that the crash was sudden and violent, the chopper lurched left, then right before falling into the water and turning upside down. He escaped from a window he punched out.

Must have been a frightening experience.

BBC now reporting two bodies recovered. Wreckage appears to have been towed off rocks by lifeboat & awaiting salvage.

BBC News - Shetland helicopter crash: 'Two bodies found'


:(

The link is reporting 3 bodies have been recovered meaning all persons on board are now acountered for.

Helicopter Crash: Three Bodies Recovered

Not good news... Thoughts with the families as ever 😟

Sky news reporting the remaining body is still in the helicopter wreckage which has now been secured by a rescue craft - on AIS I can see a tug is in the area.

Daily Mail up to its usual high reporting standards: