Military Helicopter down near Catterick

[fournier]

Eight casualties but no more news as yet. :sad:

[Trev Clark]

The Royal Air Force (RAF) helicopter was carrying three RAF crew and nine army personnel as passengers when it crashed in a wooded area west of the Catterick Garrison military base in North Yorkshire late on Wednesday.

"Two fatalities have been confirmed at the scene," a North Yorkshire Police spokesman said.

The Ministry of Defence said next of kin were still being informed and declined to give further details. An investigation would be launched into the cause of the crash, said a spokeswoman for the ministry.

One witness suggested the helicopter had mechanical problems from take-off.

"It sounded like the engine was misfiring or something -- it was making a hell of a racket," witness Andrew Pavey told the BBC.

A Puma with symptoms very similar to the crash in Belize (RGB failure) from 30 years ago (says a lot about the age of these aircraft). At least this time ( with only 2 fatalities, which is still two too many) there appears to have been no fire. My sympathies to next of kin, even after all these years when you have a connection with events, it makes it harder to take.

[TSR2]

Very sad news. Deepest Sympathy to all those concerned :sad:

[Trev Clark]

Now official from the MOD, Puma from 33sqn from Benson, 2 dead are a pilot and the crewman. From the photo, it is difficult to see how any survived. Condolancies to the families of the victims, good luck to those recovering.

[Chris558]

Some may say that considering its age, the Puma is trying to tell us something. A number of Pumas have now crashed in the last few years, but enough budget available for enough maintenance may have prevented this and other crashes, and this latest tragic loss of life. What with the Merlin door incident also, I'm afraid Benson is gaining a bit of a reputation...

[Pringle]

To say that Benson is getting a reputation is a bit unfair... sadly accidents happen...

Tonks

Spot on, no need for that comment.

[Trev Clark]

Some may say that considering its age, the Puma is trying to tell us something.

I flew in Pumas when they were amongst the youngest aircraft on the inventory and we still had accidents. SH flying is on a par with fast jets for loss rates some years, but I wonder (just me thinking aloud) if the current political pressures on 'vintage' equipment at all levels within MOD as a whole is increasing the risks.

[DaveB]

Seems to be an excuse Trev though in all honesty, the MoD were not the group to mention 'age' as a possible reason/cause for the accident.. that was done by some other 'expert' :roll: No mention either of the VC10 fleet which exceeds that of the Puma :o The Army still use Gazelles and they're not dropping out of the skies either!! Another case of so much media 'BLX' me thinks.. however well intentioned

ATB

DaveB :tab:

[TSR2]

If things are well maintained theres no reason they can't run and run, but even well maintained machinery can fail, wether it be cars, boilers or helicopters. If the door can manage to fall of a Merlin which is reasonably new. (N.B. I'm not implying that the puma is badly maintained, I wouldn't have a clue, just that machinery breaks.)

[Trev Clark]

Goodness knows what went on in Yoprkshire, but the local (BBC South, not Spain ) has just announced that the AAI team has just handed the crash investigation report to the Police.....as a matter for criminal investigation This does not sound very good, for anyone involved.