Clutha families to get answers... two years after crash
FAMILIES of victims of the Clutha helicopter tragedy are hoping their two-year wait for answers is finally at an end as investigators prepare to reveal their findings.
Relatives will be briefed privately tonight on the final report into the causes of the crash in which a police helicopter plunged through the roof of the packed Clutha Vaults pub in Glasgow on November 29, 2013.
Ten people, including the pilot and two police officers in the helicopter, lost their lives.
An investigation was launched immediately but it has taken almost 24 months for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) to produce its final report.
The AAIB intends to hold meetings with those affected by the tragedy tonight and tomorrow morning to discuss the findings in their final report ahead of his publication.
Two interim reports have been released, with the second indicating that both engines on the aircraft flamed out and appeared to suffer fuel starvation.
It did not, however, outline the cause of the problem and lawyers representing victims said yesterday that it was vital meaningful answers ‘will finally be provided regarding the crash’.
Glasgow-based lawyers at Irwin Mitchell Scotland are acting for 17 people, including injured victims and the families of those killed.
David Bell, a solicitor at the firm, said: ‘All of those we represent have faced an incredibly difficult two years, waiting for any form of information on how this terrible incident came to occur.
‘The effect of this wait cannot be underestimated, as many have simply been unable to move on or come to terms with the incident as a result of the long silence on this matter.
‘We truly hope that this week will mark the end of this difficult period and help all of those affected to gain an understanding of what happening on that terrible evening.’
Jim Morris, a former RAF pilot and partner at the firm’s aviation law team, said: ‘There are many questions which still need to be answered following the tragedy at the Clutha Vaults.
‘The central question is what caused both engines of a modern helicopter to flame out? Many of our clients are desperate to know the answer to that question after a long and painful wait.
‘Had the helicopter been fitted with the black box equipment, the answer to this crucial question might have been known and published by the AAIB at a much earlier stage.’
It is understood that the report may not be officially published until Friday morning.
Mr Morris added: ‘We hope that the meetings between the AAIB and the victims this week and the publication of the final accident report will identify the full chain of events that led to this tragedy.
‘With the benefit of the AAIB’s findings, we hope that the victims, the industry and the authorities will fully understand what went wrong and that steps will be taken to improve helicopter safety and prevent a similar tragedy in the future.’
‘Questions still need answered’