| Experts from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch have already contacted Grampian Police in the first stage of what is likely to be a lengthy inquiry.
The AAIB has also been in touch with Air Traffic Control in Aberdeen and Bond Offshore Helicopters to start securing evidence.
Video footage from RAF rescue helicopters, which were scrambled to the crash scene, has already been handed over to police.
An additional team of AAIB investigators were also understood to be heading to the accident site today to carry out further examinations in the “field phase” of the investigation.
An AAIB inspector was due to photograph and record any evidence at the scene and then examine the aircraft log books and maintenance records.
Another inspector was expected to collect witness statements from those who saw or heard the accident, including crew on board the Normand Aurora supply boat, who saw the aircraft hit the water.
The investigators may also visit the Miller Platform from where the helicopter had taken off.
When the AAIB inspectors return to their headquarters at Farnborough they will present their initial findings to the Chief Inspector of Air Accidents, who will decide how the investigation will proceed.
A draft report will be sent to Bond Offshore Helicopters and bosses will have 28 days to comment before the final report is made public.
Today, an experienced Aberdeenshire-based pilot said the various versions of the Super Puma helicopter have a solid safety record.
He said, “The Super Pumas are extremely reliable machines, and generally there are very few recorded incidents of a catastrophic mechanical failure.”
But the pilot said the fact the crew of the helicopter were only able to send out a brief mayday and no further messages suggests something catastrophic did happen. |
