Survivor recalls chopper ‘tearing’ sound

A survivor of a helicopter crash in which four people were killed told a fatal accident inquiry the aircraft sounded like it was“tea ring itself to bits” before it hit the sea.

Neil Ritchie, 39, also said rigorous survival training he had received for working in Norway was “quite possibly” significant in helping during the ditching.

The wireline operator was one of 18 people on board the Sup er Puma L2 when it ditched on its approach to Sum burgh Airport on Shetland at 6:17 pm on 23 August 2013.

Sarah Da rn ley ,45, from Elgin, Mo ray, Gary Mccrossan, 59, from Inverness, Duncan Munro ,46, from Bishop Auckland, Count y Durham, and George Allison, 57, from Winchester, Hampshire, died in the crash.

The two crew members and 12 remaining passengers survived the crash, which happened as the helicopter returned from the Borgsten Dolphin support vessel.

Giving evidence yesterday on the third day of the inquiry, Mr Ritchie said he heard a loud noise and vibrations and saw from the pilot’s face the helicopter was going down, giving him time to brace despite there being no brace warning.

“There was this vibration and it sounded like something tearing itself to bits,” he said.

“It just went over into the water and submerged instantly. You felt the impact and immediately the thing was under water.” Mr Ritchie said he panicked before focusing on his training.