AN AIRBUS specialist raised concerns over a flight safety issue connected to the same type of helicopter that crashed into the Clutha Vaults pub in Glasgow, an inquiry has heard.

Ten were killed when the EC135 aircraft crashed through the roof of the bar in November, 2013.

Emails shown to a Fatal Accident Inquiry at Hampden Park revealed David Price, who was at the time director of engineering with helicopter operators Bond Air Services, emailed colleagues about the issue a full 10 years before the crash.

He alerted Eurocopter Deutschland, run by Airbus, and France-based engine manufacturers Turbomeca that there were issues with water contaminating the fuel supply of the EC135 in 2003.

Mr Price, who appeared at day 15 of the fatal accident inquiry said that, despite his written concerns to Eurocopter in 2003 it was not until 2014, after the crash, that a ‘final solution’ air service bulletin was issued.

He had been concerned that the HMU (hydro mechanical unit) had been sucking water into the engine.

READ MORE: Clutha FAI: Death crash pilot had carried out 'very accomplished' emergencies test


Ralf Nicolai, a 61-year-old sales promotion manager of Airbus, who Mr Price approached about the issue in 2003, had previously said that an investigation later found water contamination could also lead to fuel sensors giving an “over-reading” indicating the aircraft had more fuel than it did.

Bond issued a No Technical Objection document in November 14, 2013, 15 days before the Clutha tragedy, suggesting design changes including putting a vent into a drain pipe to eliminate the possibility of fluid being sucked by the HMU.

Mr Price said while Airbus had no objection, Bond had to seek further approval.

On November 29, 2013, the day the Police Scotland helicopter G-SPAO crashed through the roof of the Clutha Vaults, Jorg Stuiver, who was described as a specialist working for Airbus, emailed Bond and said “the solution is not considered as the final solution... for serial production of fleet wide retrofit.”

Mr Price said: “My interpretation on that was Airbus had not made a final decision on what the solution was and at this moment in time they were still evaulating what their final solution was going to be.”

Six months later Airbus issued a service bulletin to the air industry recommending the retrofitting of vent hoses on the fuel pump drain lines.

In October 2015 a report from the Air Accident Investigations Branch revealed pilot error.

It found David Traill, 51, one of the ten who died, did not follow emergency protocol and flew on despite low fuel warnings.

The inquiry had previously heard a police inspector who worked with the crew on board the doomed Clutha helicopter told about a history of problems with the aircraft’s fuel indicators.  

The inquiry was also previously told an air ambulance pilot was forced to land after receiving a false low fuel warning in Manchester in December 2013, after which

Airbus launched a “worldwide fleet check” of 1000 EC135s.

Mr Price, 56, who is now the head of maintenance and engineering with the Babcock Aviation Group, told the inquiry of his “great frustration” over how the helicopter manufacturer had dealt with the water problem.

Pilot David Traill, 51; PC Tony Collins, 43; and PC Kirsty Nelis, 36, died along with seven customers who were in the bar, Gary Arthur, 48; Joe Cusker, 59; Colin Gibson, 33; Robert Jenkins, 61; John McGarrigle, 58; Samuel McGhee, 56; and Mark O’Prey, 44.

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The inquiry before Principal Sheriff Craig Turnbull continues.