Puma crash verdict...
Posted: 26 Oct 2009, 22:44
I have just watched the BBC 10 o'clock news and seen the footage (and voice recordings) shown to the coroner from the 33 Sqn Puma crash last year.
All I can say is, almost 30 years ago to the day, I was involved in an (almost, thankfully) carbon copy incident whilst returning from a detachment R and R day in N. Ireland. The three crew were the youngest and most junior (including me!) in the detchment, because everybody else could drink and generally let their hair down.
On the return flight, encouraged by the general 'bon homie' from the passengers (all serving Puma and Wessex aircrew for the SH det), our esteemed captain (later to become a decorated and senior SAR pilot) decided he would try his hand at sheep herding by Puma amongst the sand dunes.
That footage tonight, (together with the intercom exchanges) made me realise just how close we came to disaster that afternoon. As was mentioned by the coronor, the crewman in the back had very little say on what went on, he too was very junior and just out of OCU training. I could do very little except hang on tight (easier said than done) and try to watch out for hidden obstructions. The adrenaline (and the fact of showing off to their peers in the back) amongst the two pilots kicked whatever training precautions out of the window. I most certainly was not consulted on the matter!!!
The investigations this year recomended a systemic change of proceedures at RAF Benson and in the Puma fleet as a whole, all I can say is after 35 years service, it is not a new problem!
Puma pilots were then (not sure about now, but it may well be the same) all PICs, you did not spend time as a co-pilot then gravitate to the RH seat (helicopters!), it is just a matter of tasking and specialties. Therfore, it is very difficult to control two 'young bucks' up front! My captain on that day got away with a week of Orderly Officer (our antics were seen by an AAC Major on task nearby in a Scout and he reported it to the detachment OC) duties, the guys in Yorkshire were not so lucky. A sobering thought for me tonight, all those years ago I took it as just another day, but one to remember.
For that young crewman and private in the Army (and the aircraft captain who also perished) it was not just another day, it was their last.
All I can say is, almost 30 years ago to the day, I was involved in an (almost, thankfully) carbon copy incident whilst returning from a detachment R and R day in N. Ireland. The three crew were the youngest and most junior (including me!) in the detchment, because everybody else could drink and generally let their hair down.
On the return flight, encouraged by the general 'bon homie' from the passengers (all serving Puma and Wessex aircrew for the SH det), our esteemed captain (later to become a decorated and senior SAR pilot) decided he would try his hand at sheep herding by Puma amongst the sand dunes.
That footage tonight, (together with the intercom exchanges) made me realise just how close we came to disaster that afternoon. As was mentioned by the coronor, the crewman in the back had very little say on what went on, he too was very junior and just out of OCU training. I could do very little except hang on tight (easier said than done) and try to watch out for hidden obstructions. The adrenaline (and the fact of showing off to their peers in the back) amongst the two pilots kicked whatever training precautions out of the window. I most certainly was not consulted on the matter!!!
The investigations this year recomended a systemic change of proceedures at RAF Benson and in the Puma fleet as a whole, all I can say is after 35 years service, it is not a new problem!
Puma pilots were then (not sure about now, but it may well be the same) all PICs, you did not spend time as a co-pilot then gravitate to the RH seat (helicopters!), it is just a matter of tasking and specialties. Therfore, it is very difficult to control two 'young bucks' up front! My captain on that day got away with a week of Orderly Officer (our antics were seen by an AAC Major on task nearby in a Scout and he reported it to the detachment OC) duties, the guys in Yorkshire were not so lucky. A sobering thought for me tonight, all those years ago I took it as just another day, but one to remember.
For that young crewman and private in the Army (and the aircraft captain who also perished) it was not just another day, it was their last.
