A FATAL accident inquiry into the Clutha pub helicopter crash which claimed 10 lives could last at least six months.
Seven customers, the pilot and two crew members were killed when the Police Scotland helicopter crashed through the roof of the pub in Glasgow on November 29, 2013.
The first of three preliminary hearings ahead of the full fatal accident inquiry (FAI) took place at Hampden Park stadium in Glasgow on Wednesday.
Family members, Police Scotland, Airbus Helicopters, Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and David Young, the day shift pilot for the helicopter, are among those represented at the inquiry.
Sheriff Principal Craig Turnbull, who is overseeing the FAI, said it will be “lengthy and complex”.
The hearing opened with a reading of the names of those who died in the tragedy.
The FAI aims to establish the circumstances of the deaths and consider ways to prevent further deaths in similar circumstances. It will not establish civil or criminal liability.
Senior counsel John Smith QC, who is leading the inquiry, said the Crown has commissioned a composite report from two experts – a helicopter pilot and someone who deals with “human factors”.
Smith estimated the FAI will take six months to complete.
The inquiry is due to start in April at Hampden Park.
The Crown is considering the possibility of commissioning a 3D interactive model or video simulation model of the helicopter’s flight for the inquiry.
A 2015 AAIB report found two fuel supply switches were off and the pilot did not follow emergency procedures after a cockpit warning was triggered. There was deemed to be insufficient evidence for criminal proceedings, however.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here