'Bravery and presence of mind' of super puma co-pilot praised at inquiry
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THE bravery and presence of mind of a helicopter co-pilot helped to save lives as the aircraft crashed into the sea off Shetland, an inquiry has been told.
Four passengers, including Elgin woman Sarah Darnley (45), died in the Super Puma crash in 2013.
Co-pilot Alan Bell armed the flotation bags just before the helicopter hit the water.
His actions were described as "brave" by Captain Alan Findlay, a helicopter pilot for 38 years and a training captain with operator CHC, as he spoke from Australia on the ninth day of the fatal accident inquiry.
Capt Findlay, who had done training flights with Mr Bell, said his level of knowledge was very good.
He said Mr Bell's actions in arming the flotation bags saved people's lives effectively as the devices would not have deployed automatically and the aircraft would have sunk.
The inquiry has heard the helicopter overturned and filled with water, but stayed afloat.
Capt Findlay said: "In a very short period of time, realising things were going very badly wrong, he showed a good presence of mind."
Derek Pyle, Sheriff Principal of Grampian, Highland and Islands, asked if he would also describe it as brave.
Capt Findlay replied: "Yes. For most of us, faced with an impending crash, most people would want to hold onto something, whereas his frame of mind was he wanted to do something that would affect a successful outcome.
"It was brave and showed good presence of mind."
Capt Findlay expressed concern about full use not being made of automated control functions on the approach and said he had been told that was common practice.
Asked if their approach was not unreasonable, he replied: "Yes, I can understand why the culture was there and was accepted."
He believed it was a genuine accident and a lot of substantial changes were made afterwards.
"Some good came out of it and the world is a safer place," he said.
A total of 18 people were on board the helicopter.
Inverness father of two Gary McCrossan (59), from Westhill, died from heart failure following the crash.
Duncan Munro (46), of Bishop Auckland, and George Allison (57), of Winchester, died from drowning.
A survivor, Samuel Bull, later took his own life after suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.
The inquiry continues.
