Crash co-pilot was ‘critical’ in saving lives

● His ‘quick-thinking’ ensured flotation bags were triggered before hitting sea

The actions of the co-pilot were“critical” in keeping a helicopter a float after it ditched into the sea with the loss off our lives, an inquiry has heard.

Adrian Cope, a senior inspector with the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB), said “quick-thinking” co-pilot Adrian Bell was aware the aircraft was going down and managed to trigger the flotation bags before the crash.

Two crew and 12 passengers on board the Super Puma L2 survived when it ditched on its approach to Sum burgh Airport, Shetland, at 6.17 pm on August 23 2013.

But Sarah Darnley, 45, from Elgin, Mo ray, GaryMc crossan, 59, from Inverness, Duncan Munro ,46, from Bishop Auckland, Count y Durham, and George Allison, 57, from Winchester, Hampshire, died.

Mr Cope, who was involved in preparing the AAIB report into the crash, told the inquiry that recorded data “showed the helicopter was flying as you would expect it to right up till the last minutes”.

As the captain suffered a very debilitating injury, copilot Alan Bell took the lead in helping those on board following impact.

The fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the crash is being heard virtually due to coronavirus measures.

Mr Cope told the FAI: “Prior to impact the co-pilot realised what was going to hap - pen and he arms the flotation bags which is automatically triggered but they need to be armed by a push button.

“His awareness of the situation and quick thinking was really very crucial because that kept the helicopter on the surface, and we know from previous accidents then should the helicopter sink that is a very dire situation for all on board.

“That was the first of his actions that was critical. He was also aware there were release handles on the life raft.

“Some of the information he was aware of in terms of the release handles on the life raft made the process a lot quicker and smoother than it would have been had he not been present.”

Survivor Samuel Bull later took his own life in London in 2017, which Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle, who is hearing the inquiry, said was“directly caused” by the crash. The inquiry also heard that none of the passengers was able to use the hybrid rebreath - ers they were provided with, which contain a small air supply with a gas canister which is triggered automatically when the person is submerged.

Mr Cop e said: “Inter views with the survivors suggested there was a number of problems they experienced, mostly related to how rapidly the helicopter was submerged.”

An AAIB report published in 2016 found that the pilots failed to properly monitor the flight instruments and failed to notice their airspeed was decreasing until it was too late to avoid the Super Puma plunging into the sea.

A statement of agreed evidence read at the start of the inquiry confirmed that no mechanical fault was discovered with the helicopter, which was returning from the Borg st en Dolphins upport vessel.

The inquiry continues.