Concerns had been aired over safety

The CC.OO union and the Official College of Commercial Pilots both expressed concerns yesterday over Wednesday's air ambulance helicopter crash on a private property in Andratx. The CC.OO, in an official communique, did however express its relief that none of the four crew on board were injured after the chopper's rear rotor blades clipped a branch on take-off and crashed when it was just five metres off the ground. But, according to the CC.OO, single turbine helicopters “are not appropriate for rescue operations because of the dangers.” According to the union, the helicopter is not officially approved to carry people because it can not meet the necessary safety guarantees,” and the Union also claimed the helicopter involved “does not have authorisation from the Civil Aviation to carry out rescue operations.” Apparently the CC.OO has complained to the Pilots College and the government before about the Balearic government signing any co-operative agreements without general safety guarantees. Last night the Pilots College said that it has previously expressed its concerns to the aeronautical authorities about safety and that it was decided on February 13, that an investigation was to be launched into the German company which operates the medical helicopter service.