THE boss of helicopter firm Bond Offshore has revealed he thinks about the 2009 Super Puma disaster every day – and it drives him to keep improving safety for his company’s passengers.
Luke Farajallah said the 16 people who died when Flight 85N crashed into the North Sea must never be forgotten.
Writing exclusively for the Press and Journal, he said their families had waited too long for the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into their deaths and something had to be done to shorten the “years of tears” suffered by the bereaved.
Mr Farajallah – who was appointed Bond managing director almost four years after the tragedy – said his main emotions when the FAI findings were published were “sorrow and regret”.
He said it was “impossible to imagine the depths of despair” felt by those who lost loved ones in the crash.
He added: “Bond Offshore owes it to the memories of those who died, and to the men and women we carry, to continue to deliver the highest standards of safety.”
Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle published his FAI findings last week.
After hearing 20 days of evidence during the inquiry in Aberdeen, he said it was “possible” the accident could have been prevented had it not been for Bond’s failures to follow correct procedures and communicate fully with aircraft manufacturer Eurocopter. But there has been criticism from relatives about the justice system.
Audrey Wood, who lost her 27-year-old son Stuart, said the families felt “let down” because the Crown Office did not pursue a criminal prosecution.