Safety Topics

Abstract

RECOMMENDATIONS to be implemented as soon as possible are contained in the report of the British Airways Helicopters S 61N accident in 1983. The aircraft was on a scheduled service from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly and was being operated in accordance with Visual Flight Rules (VFR). While on the approach to St Mary's aerodrome the helicopter gradually descended from its intended height of 250 feet without either pilot being aware of this and flew into the water. Nineteen of the 23 passengers and 1 of the three crew members lost their lives. St Mary's lifeboat attended the scene and picked up the six survivors.

Citation

Mayday (1985), "Safety Topics", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 57 No. 6, pp. 24-25. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb036128