Date announced for Clutha helicopter crash inquiry

A fatal accident inquiry into the Clutha helicopter crash in Glasgow is to be held next year.

Ten people died and 31 others were injured when a police helicopter crashed into the roof of the Glasgow pub on 29 November 2013.

The inquiry will formally begin at Hampden Park on 8 April 2019. The first preliminary hearing will be held at the stadium on 3 October this year.

The Crown Office previously said there there would be no criminal proceedings.

Investigators found that fuel transfer switches on the helicopter were turned off at the time of the crash.

The helicopter crew who were killed in the crash were pilot David Traill, PC Tony Collins and PC Kirsty Nelis.

Seven customers in the Clutha pub also died. They were John McGarrigle, Mark O'Prey, Gary Arthur, Colin Gibson, Robert Jenkins, Samuel McGhee and Joe Cusker.

A report published in 2015 by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the pilot did not follow emergency protocol and flew on despite low fuel warnings.

It said fuel transfer pumps were turned off and a controlled landing was not achieved for "unknown reasons".

The Crown Office previously said that following a wide-ranging investigation, which involved the consideration of a "significant volume of documentation" and detailed statements from witnesses, it had concluded there was no evidence to justify criminal proceedings.

Patrick McGuire, a partner with Thompsons Solicitors who are representing the families of two of those who died, said: "This is very welcome news from the Crown Office although it has taken far too long for us to reach this stage.

"A fatal accident inquiry is the only way that the families of those who lost their lives will be able to learn what happen to their loved ones on that awful night almost five years ago.

"The FAI will also be able to make recommendations that will hopefully prevent a similar accident from ever happening again."

29 November 2013: Police helicopter crashes on Clutha bar in Glasgow killing 10 people.

9 December 2013: AAIB preliminary report finds there was 95 litres of fuel onboard the aircraft.

14 February 2014: AAIB special report finds both engines "flamed out". One of the fuel tanks was empty, while a second contained 0.4 litres. A third contained 75 litres, but transfer pumps to take this fuel to the other two engine tanks were switched off.

23 October 2015: AAIB final report finds main cause of accident to be mismanagement of the fuel system by the pilot.

24 November 2017: Fatal accident inquiry announced.