Helicopter deaths 'an accident'

Co-pilot Philip Dearden felt some vibration before the crash

A verdict of accidental death has been returned at an inquest into the death of 10 men killed in a helicopter crash three years ago.

The hearing was told a "catastrophic mechanical failure" of one of the Sikorsky S-76A's main rotor blades caused the crash 28 miles off Cromer.

Two crew and nine Shell workers died when the helicopter went down between two gas platforms.

The body of the 11th man has never been recovered from the 16 July crash.

Passengers and crew on board Captain Philip Wake, 42, from Strumpshaw, Norfolk Angus Macarthur, 38, from Maryburgh, Scotland Dennis Kelleher, 40, from Lytham St Annes, Lancashire Stuart Coggon, 45, from Middlesborough David Graves, 33, from Ilketshall St Andrew, Suffolk Geoffrey Bispham, 51, from Worstead, Norfolk Douglas Learwood, 40, from Middlesborough First officer Philip Dearden, 32, from Norwich, Norfolk Kevin Taylor, 50, from Little Plumstead, Norfolk Philip George Stone, 53, of Norwich, Norfolk Paul Francis, 48, from Norwich, Norfolk - still missing

On Wednesday air accident investigator Jeremy Barnett told the inquest First Officer Philip Dearden, 32, who was flying the helicopter, said to Captain Philip Wake words to the effect "we are picking up quite a lot of vibration" about seven minutes into the flight.

The two had a short discussion about the vibration and shortly afterwards two very loud bangs were heard.

The helicopter, operated by Norwich Bristow Helicopters, was transporting Shell offshore workers between rigs when it crashed about 28 miles north east of Cromer, as it was approaching the Santa Fe Monarch Rig on 16 July 2002.

A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) concluded it crashed after one of its main rotor blades failed.

Mr Barnett, who investigated the crash on behalf of the AAIB, said a small manufacturing anomaly in one of the craft's blades was exacerbated when it had been struck by lightning some years later.

The damage was not detectable when the part was returned to its manufacturer for assessment and the decision was taken to repair the blade which was then returned to service.

Safety measures

Mr Barnett said the work was carried out by Sikorsky honourably, sensibly and with good judgment and the accident was "one of those million to one combinations".

The helicopter pilots had carried out a visual check of the aircraft and a licensed engineer had also inspected it before take off.

"I have no doubt the aircraft was properly inspected. Our professional assessment is that no-one would have seen the crack," he added.

New measures to improve safety had been introduced since the crash, he said.

Speaking after the inquest Bristow Helicopters spokesman Peter Gay said: "It was a tragic accident and our thoughts are with the families and friends of the deceased."