§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many helicopters have been ditched in waters surrounding the United Kingdom in the last three years; where the ditchings occurred; how many(a) lives were lost and (b) helicopters were recovered; and if he will make a statement. [144503]
297W
§ Mr. MullinThe Civil Aviation Authority's records show that only one civil helicopter has ditched into the waters surrounding the United Kingdom in the last three years. This incident occurred near Lyme Regis in foggy conditions. The helicopter was destroyed but both occupants were rescued.
During the same period the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) has records of two military helicopters ditching in UK waters, one in the North Sea off the Norfolk Coast and the other in the area of the Kyle of Lochalsh. There were no fatalities in either case. It is believed that both helicopters were at least in part recovered, although DARA do not hold records of the recovery operations themselves.