The Clutha Helicopter Crash | A Short Documentary | Fascinating Horror

"On the 29th of November, 2013, around 120 people gathered at the Clutha pub on the bank of the River Clyde in Glasgow, Scotland..."
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
00:40 - Background
02:06 - The Clutha Helicopter Crash
05:12 - The Aftermath
MUSIC:
► "Glass Pond" by Public Memory
SOURCES:
► Aircraft Accident Report, published by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, October 2015. Available via: assets.publishing.service.gov...
► Fatal Accident Inquiry Report, published by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, October 2019. Available via: www.scotcourts.gov.uk/docs/de...
► "Experience: a helicopter crashed into the pub I was drinking in" by Michael Byrne, published by The Guardian, March 2022. Link: www.theguardian.com/lifeandst...
► "Glasgow's Clutha bar reopens after helicopter crash" by Owen Duffy, published by The Guardian, July 2015. Link: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2...
​​​​​​​#Documentary​​​​ #History​​​​​​​​​ #TrueStories​

[@kjaubrey4816]

I appreciate that you read the names of the victims to remind us that these are human beings and not just numbers.

[@MaryDoyle-xl2ri]

🙏🙏❤️

[@JustMe-nf3do]

EX-ACT-LY!!!

[@Sashazur]

I agree. I decided to intentionally listen to those names rather than skipping over it because they deserve to be remembered.

[@stuartgmk]

👍

[@caffiend81]

This is one of the few "disaster" channels I watch regularly for this very reason. He takes great pains to respect the victims of these tragedies and spends a great deal of effort to illustrate how the laws and regulations spurred by these events save lives today. So many other channels covering similar topics feel exploitative, gratuitous, and ghoulish.

[@manuelacosta9463]

This was such an inexplicable tragedy but the local community coming together in the aftermath is a heartwarming ray of light. Kudos to the company accepting full responsibility and providing compensation.

[@mysock351C]

It’s actually not that inexplicable when one thinks about it. The large flat roof at night time combined with the “or land in 10 minutes” provides the likely scenario that he may have thought it was an empty parking lot that he could auto-rotate down onto once it ran out of fuel. Ironically he likely was actually trying to adhere to procedure and set the aircraft down, but probably initially misjudged that it was a building he was setting down on. Once he got closer he likely noticed his mistake, but it would have been too late. In reality I don’t think he explicitly did anything wrong, but fell prey a coincidence of unusual circumstances.

[@mysock351C]

Taking a look at the wreckage actually supports this, the cabin and tail boom are relatively intact, but all four rotor blades are missing. This would be consistent with it falling thru the roof once it “touched down.” This also explains the lost ceiling tiles at first. The rotor wash would have knocked them loose. Once the skids made contact, though, it couldn’t withstand the extra load.

[@krashd]

@@mysock351C It doesn't explain the deaths of the three aboard the helicopter though. The seven victims inside the pub would die either way from crushing injuries but if this was a semi-controlled landing via autorotation then it stands to reason the three victims aboard the helicopter would have faired much better and likely would come away with nothing more than lacerations or broken bones. Instead all three died which suggests to me that the helicopter fell from height with no autorotation.

[@mysock351C]

@@krashd Not when you consider the flailing rotor blades. There is no sign of them. All broke off at the root. Further we can see from the tail boom where it was severed by the rotor. There is even an impact mark on the roof from the fan shroud visible behind the fire fighter wearing a red coat. We also see that only the front of the helicopter fell thru. If it was an impact, the fuselage would have keyholed the roof and broke up below. Instesd its still intact with only the front that was heavy fell thru, which brings up why the crew was likely killed. When it tipped forward the rotor impacted the mast and tail boom since it was still going at near full speed. This not only severed the tail boom just after the stabilizers, but caused the blades to separate and sent debris into the cabin since it was a confined space with the adjacent walls and building.. This also probably killed at least one or two occupants as well. The fact that it just perfectly tipped in with little damage otherwise is too inconsistent with a substantial impact. The fuselage would have broke up. But its still intact.

[@mysock351C]

@@krashd Now there could have been an "impact", but the evidence supports that it was relatively low vertical speed if it was with little forward speed. This would also acount for the impact mark from the fan shroud and the boom breaking potentially. I would suspect that either falling debris from the roof or the rotor blades killed them. I just don't see how it could be going fast enough to kill them all outright but not break up the airframe.

[@talesfromthescrypt]

This was awful, I lived in Glasgow at the time. The following December in 2014 a refuse lorry crashed into pedestrians, killing 6 and injured 15. Three days before Xmas. Was a horrible few years for locals ❤

[@rich_edwards79]

Yes and then the two fires that damaged and then completely destroyed the Mackintosh building at GSoA, fortunately (and incredibly) no lives were lost in either, but I know the second one caused a lot of disruption and displacement as well as the loss of an icon. It's a great city and the people are wonderful but they've also had to be very resilient over the years.

[@samanthal9114]

I remember the bin lorry crash, and hysterically calling my sister over and over again because I know she got the bus from the bus stop outside queen st station to get home from work, thankfully she wasn't on shift that day but between this, the bin lorry, and the school of art fires...glasgow has not had an easy time. I do miss the city alot, grew up there but moved to the USA two years ago. People make Glasgow and there's no other place like Glasgow.

[@yakacm]

Me and my daughter were in town that day, we literally walked in to George Square a minute or 2 after it had happened. TBH we had no clue what had happened, it was a couple of days before Christmas so George Square at the time was probably 1 of the most crowed places in Scotland, so I just thought the crowds and mayhem was the Christmas rush. We knew someone had been rundown as we saw a lady on the ground in the middle of the street, and folk attending to her, I didn't look too closely as I had an 11 year old kid with me. It was so soon after the accident that there was just 1 or 2 cops cars there and no fire or ambulances. We had headed to George Square for my daughter to go on the fair rides there, this is how soon it was after the accident it was, the fair rides were still running, I even paid for my girl to go on one, but the Police shut the rides down before she could get on. It was only as we were going in and out of the shops that we hearing a bit more of what was going on, it wasn't until we got home that we found out the full scale of the thing, and how lucky we had been. I'm not from Glasgow, although I'd been living there for a good 10 years by that time, so my Glasgow geography isn't that good, I had actually went the wrong when we got off the train, as I was struggling to recognise where I was in the crowds, if it wasn't for that we would have been on George Square a minute or 2 earlier, which doesn't bare thinking about.

[@generaleerelativity9524]

Is that because everyone including the Prime Minister went to the Clutha to tie one on before heading off to work?

[@ibahart3771]

The circumstances around that crash were so upsetting. The driver lied about his medical history, blacked out at the wheel and caused that fatal crash. He was not prosecuted but did lose his driving licence, only to be caught driving again just nine months later.

[@caseydykes117]

The community response and support here is absolutely phenomenal

[@deby5983]

Absolutely!! What great hearts and sense of community these people have!!

[@kathyjones1576]

I was getting ready to write this exact response, decided to read comments first and found yours. The way they pulled together, to clear the pilot, and then to help rebuild and then help the families, absolutely fantastic.

[@paul6925]

Totally! Sounds like a great community there

[@stevewilson8467]

Superb telling of the events on that awful night. Back in August 2011 when riots broke out in England, some bright spark incited people to do likewise in Glasgow. He was told in no uncertain terms where to go and, I believe, subsequently arrested..

[@DaveSCameron]

​@@stevewilson8467😂😂

[@RumbleDelta]

Not many people have talked about this disaster, thank you for discussing it. My stepdad and his friends were going to meet at the Clutha that night, but they decided to go elsewhere, closer to work. The crash happened a couple of hours later, so he could have been in there when it happened. Terrifying.

[@generaleerelativity9524]

"Closer to work" None of them happened to be pilots would they?

[@RHR-221b]

@@generaleerelativity9524 *Over here for the Arse-hole commentator. Beyond Glasgow 'humour'.*

[@RumbleDelta]

@@generaleerelativity9524 Yes yes, very funny.

[@DidIDoGoodMum]

This is one of the incidents that are really touching. Mistakes were made and innocent lives were lost. But instead of leaving the survivors alone the community came together and even the manufacturer took blame and did the right thing. Sadly especially aviation safety is always written in blood. But I’m thankful those who lost their lives at least made flying safer for everyone else.

[@bmused55]

The Operator of the Helicopter accepted liability. The manufacturer took no blame at all. Notice that the investigation put all the blame on the pilot, not even acknowledging the poorly designed and thus misleading fuel gauges were part of the issue. This isn't the first time flaws in an Airbus product have been protected by an investigation (then quietly fixed). Accidents rarely come from single mistakes, but a chain of things happening that lead to the crash. The pilot was the last link, not not the only one.

[@WobblesandBean]

Um...no? The manufacturer refused blame and tried to pin it all on the pilot, who was Innocent.

[@mournblade1066]

@@bmused55 The operator of the helicopter didn't accept liability; he was dead.

[@mournblade1066]

@@Die-Angst The operator of the helicopter was killed in the crash.

[@robertsettles2180]

@@mournblade1066 The company that owned and operated the helicopter took responsibility.

[@davidci]

These types of accidents are the saddest for me. Just having fun and minding your own business and you still end up dying from something you'd never thought would ever happen to you.

[@TUKByV]

Unfortunately, there will always be this possibility so long as aircraft are welcomed to operate over densely populated areas. Such a crash happened a few miles from my home this year.

[@MonTube2006]

West Warwick 2003

[@sarahlauer4397]

I used to worry about these sort of things and of course they're always tragic. But now I fear so much more being killed in a mass shooting. Sadly it's statistically more likely here in the US.

[@TUKByV]

@@sarahlauer4397 So is malpractice. Never less than 250,000 deaths per year. That's REPORTED deaths, mind you.

[@esta8651]

Life

[@Redheadmafia97]

As horrible as this situation was, it warms my heart to see a community come together to lift their neighbors up

[@RidesandRambling]

A good friend of mine was in the pub across the road when this happened. He was always happy and energetic, a really positive person and the life of any party... after this night though he was different... he became very introvert and started worrying about everything... two years later he took his own life... He could never really explain what he saw that night, but it must have been awful.

[@HORSEYANIME2024]

Rip your friend 😢😢😢

[@janelleg597]

☹️☹️

[@grahamclark4518]

Heart breaking to read. I'm so sorry for your loss

[@RidesandRambling]

@@grahamclark4518 Thanks... At least he's at peace and not having to witness how messed up this country/world has become in recent years, it's enough to break anyones spirit.

[@TerryFarrah]

So sorry you lost your friend

[@kerryjgeorge]

I'm so glad that you give the names of the deceased. It reminds everyone that they were real people and not just victims.

[@kerryjgeorge]

@@Die-Angst I misspoke. I will change that.

[@KMEECHY]

I was in town with mates that night and I’ll never forget the eerie silence of our train carriage as we crossed over the Clyde. Usually those late night trains had a good party atmosphere but hardly any words were said as we all stared out the window over to the cluster of flashing lights by the Clutha.

[@leonb2637]

Another fine presentation on a disaster. No frills, no hype, to the point and brings out the loss of humanity in a respectable way. I like how out of the tragedy it did come back and a living legacy of helping young people in the arts. You should do a presentation on the incident of a helicopter on the roof of the then Pan Am (since the 1990's the Met Life Building) in NY City on May 16, 1977 that killed 5 people and led to changes as to helicopter operations in NY City.

[@leonb2637]

@@Die-Angst Request.

[@caileanthomson1286]

I never thought I'd see this incident covered; my Uncle lives literally across the road in Stockwell Street, he said it was more of a bang, like a car's backfire than an explosion, he ran to help where he could, they wanted to give him a city award, he turned it down as he didn't want to draw attention away from those who lost their lives.

[@truthylucy7068]

Wow! What an awesome community you have there in Scotland. I love hearing about communities pulling together to help each other in a crisis. I wish we had more communities helping out one another. The world would be a much better place! 😊

[@gsdalpha1358]

Small towns in America do this all the time. A few years ago a tornado went through our little town. Trees, limbs and debris were blocking roads, leaning on houses, and covering cars. We ran to help our very elderly neighbors whose house doors were blocked, their car buried under tree limbs. Within minutes half a dozen other people showed up to help. Elderly neighbors got outside (no real damage to their home!) and were so upset about their car. Everyone got the road cleared and began carefully removing tree limbs from the car. Miraculously, it only had a few scratches and dings. And then that group of half a dozen people melted away to go help others. Another example: we lost our home to fire in 2014 in the wee hours of a snowy morning. We made it outside with only light pajamas and slippers. Neighbors bought us coffee, blankets, and warmer clothes. Our three cats managed to survive, and a neighbor graciously took them in. A police officer invited my German Shepherd and me to sit in his cruiser - we were so cold! That's just small town living for you. It's not on the scale of what this video showed, but there are countless communities which rally to help however they can.

[@truthylucy7068]

@gsdalpha1358 Thank you for sharing. Unfortunately, we only hear about death & destruction, break-ins, robberies, a shooting every other day, etc. In crisis, communities & the best of humanity rise above. We need our faith in humanity to rise above now more than ever!

[@gsdalpha1358]

@@truthylucy7068 Sadly, kind acts don't grab headlines. They say true heroes do what's right even when no one is looking. We can all do our part: smile at people, let the elderly go in front of you at the store and make sure they can load their car okay. Hold the door for someone. Say "thank you" to clerks and servers. Little acts can brighten someone's day. Funny thing is, that brightness can get reflected back onto us, and we all feel good!

[@wilsjane]

@@truthylucy7068 The same thing happens all over the world at times of crisis. The media prefer to focus on the fraction of one percent who are maroons. Most of them are also quite normal when they are not full of alcohol or drugs, or obtaining the money to buy them.

[@RoundSeal]

Thank you for saying the names and ages of the people who died in these events. Every one of these people had lives, goals, likes, dislikes, people who loved them and who miss them. It helps keep us grounded and reminds us that these videos are about real incidents, that real people were affected, and that these aren't just morbid entertainment.

[@htos1av]

I LOVE how the locals support their own and keep traditions alive, and how the the whole country supported. RIP to those we lost, not forgotten.

[@liesl7617]

Close one for me. We live round the corner from the pilot's dad and knew him well. I remember David flying a chinook over our houses when I was wee - all the kids were so excited. He was an exceptional pilot and nobody who knew him doubted that it was not his fault. Thank you for your coverage of this.

[@barrypaton3641]

It was his fault

[@rita2774]

It was definitely his fault lol he ignored the procedures

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

@@rita2774 And repeated Cautions and Warnings

[@Perseus7567]

​@@johnmoruzzi7236 Cautions and warnings which conflicted with other information he had, i.e a faulty fuel indicator. How many people get "Check Engine" lights or similar in their car, but ignore it thinking it'll probably just be something minor and it'd be fine to at least get it back home? You know why? Because it's much more natural to trust several gauges telling you everything is fine, than you are to trust one sensor telling you things aren't fine, especially when most of the time the sensor turns out to be indicating falsely anyway. The pilot here was not the cause of the crash. The faulty fuel indicator was. The pilot's reactions were a consequence of that. It's not the reaction that is at fault, it's what causes the reaction. If I'm driving along on my phone not paying any attention, then suddenly brake but I over-correct and end up crashing in to someone else whilst losing control; what would you say the true cause of that crash was? Was it me over-correcting to avoid a collision, or was it me on my phone not paying attention? If I jumpscare you, and you instinctively push me in to a swimming pool, what is at fault for me ending up in the pool; you pushing me, or me jumpscaring you? If I tell you that 2 x 2 = 4 but two other people tell you 2 x 2 = 17 and you write 17 as the answer in to the equation, who is at fault for the wrong answer? You, or the two people who gave you the wrong answer? I have a sneaky suspicion most people would pick Phone, The Jumpscare and the 2 other people, because they actually caused the chain of events, not are simply reactions to the chain of events.

[@user-jq2rf4nf3o]

Failure to safely land when issues arise = Pilot screwed up. Low fuel or fire you LAND NOW you don't wait. You pick a spot and land under control. Don't wait for a flame out, Don't pick home or the air port. You land now. He had a twin engine machine, No excuses .

[@Yormsane]

A good friend of mine was working in the Police control room that night, she said it was by far the worst shift of her whole life. Thank you for uploading this episode.

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

The Control Room tapes were never published or scrutinised as I understand it, because the Police were responsible for managing the mission that went over time, and the pilot was responsible for managing (with the Police crew) the aircraft and its fuel reserves…

[@ripvanwinkle2002]

I just want to say again, the way you treat the victims and the names of the dead is outstanding.. there is no channel covering this type of material that shows the reverence to the dead like you do.. in our interest of the Macabre, we usually forget these are real people who really lived, and not just characters in a story.

[@saragrant9749]

The reaction of the local community after this tragedy was heartwarming. People did whatever was needed to help the owner and employees, that’s a great sign of support.

[@reachandler3655]

When I first heard of this tragedy, and the fact the pub had a flat roof, I wondered if the pilot had tried to land on it in an effort to prevent a crash. Thankyou for recounting this tragic incident.

[@P_RO_]

It is speculated that he was trying for a nearby car park based on his flight path, but couldn't make it. Only reinforced roofs meant for heli's can support the weight which every pilot knows so he wouldn't have been aiming to land on the Clutha.

[@adde9506]

Then he's even more responsible. The intersection directly next to the pub is plenty big enough to land a helicopter in.

[@arcanondrum6543]

I don't want to speak for the Pilot but there's this -> 1:41 .

[@souralba2727]

​@@adde9506tbh the helicopter fell from the sky by all accounts, I don't think there was much landing going on. There is 2 large car parks right behind the Clutha, the river clyde to the side and Glasgow green around 200 mtrs at the other side. Plenty of options if he has some control.

[@spencerkleiman5035]

​@@adde9506what is he supposed to do? The fucking thing is coming down, and you might only have a 300 yard diameter area of which you can even realistically fly to, if you even have controls. You seem pretty sure of yourself for a keyboard warrior whose a Dennys waiter

[@garretbyte9142]

My uncle lost his partner in this accident, glad to see it still being discussed this late on.

[@cuddlepaws4423]

A lot of people probably look down their noses at Glasgow, but this shows something that money cannot buy. A VERY strong community spirit, with even the Brewery helping out by paying the staff wages until the pub was up and running again. And even more astonishing, the helicopter company paid compensation and corrected the issue with the helicopter... A truly rare thing these days! Then, to top it all, high profile bands played there, and even Nicola Sturgeon, love her or loath her, showed up at the grand re-opening and did bar maid work because it was THE place to be when she was a student. This is a tragic incident where people lost their lives, but an absolutely phenomenal come back by Glasgow and the Scottish people. Good on you, from England!!!

[@margeebechyne8642]

This is so sad. I wonder why they don't design it, so when it becomes low on fuel it automatically switches and transfers the backup fuel. The warning sound could just let the pilot know this is happening. RIP ten souls. Thank you for a great presentation.

[@ingridfong-daley5899]

My ex-husband's family are Scottish and we used to visit them every year--we watched both live music and improv there, it had a great vibe, and Glaswegians are absolutely bonkers in the best way possible.

[@mcintyrevxq]

Was on a night out over at Sloans in Buchanan Street on this night, will never forget the crowds clearing away from Clydeside. Thank you for covering this absolute tragedy.

[@louisjadot9194]

Oh the Singles night 🤣😂

[@jonhu4127]

Wow! Hearing about how far beyond just assisting those that suffered in this tragedy the community went is astounding. Much respect to this whole community for coming together and going beyond. As always, thank you for covering disasters like this in a humane and human fashion.

[@RossCuth]

I remember seeing this on the news and papers when it happened, but didn't fully comprehend how the accident happened. Thanks for covering this accident.

[@Mccaigg]

Thanks for covering this , was a horrible incident and so close to Christmas I still remember my whole family watching this on the TV when it happened , we live about 20 minutes away

[@user-nx5kk5ho7j]

Thats just one reason why Ive been a fan of this channel for 3 years, your very respectful, and you never judge or are too critical. RIP to all victims. ❤😢

[@wtorules4743]

Amazing research and delicately told. I was coming back through Glasgow from a gig in Ayrshire a few hours after the crash. The city was eerily still. It’s a great wee pub and so glad it got back on its feet with the help of so many.

[@Inveterate-introvert]

Didn't know Tennants were paying their staff, that's pretty class.

[@wtorules4743]

@@Inveterate-introvert neither did I. It was a very classy gesture and helped greatly in getting the doors open again.

[@TheAsheTalketh]

Oh I asked you to do this like a year and a half ago and I'm so glad you did. My Aunt's fiance died in it. They weren't even going there originally, my dad was meant to be doing a gig nearby and had to cancel so they went there instead. Such a tough time and such a tragedy.

[@TheAsheTalketh]

Ah christ, I've not cried about this in a long time but hearing Robert's name brought me to tears again. RIP Robert, you were a wonderful man and so good to my aunt.

[@TerryFarrah]

So sorry your aunt lost her dear Robert.

[@P_RO_]

There is a huge thread about this on the PPRUNE pilot's forum. One thing missed here is that the fuel level indicators had been recommended for replacement with upgraded parts for these heli's, but it wasn't required to be done immediately, rather it was normally done when a deep service occurred which is based on time intervals. This heli hadn't reached the time interval where it would be done yet. Thus it was a known problem as Eurocopter had informed all owners about it, there having already been several incidents because of it. This is the normal procedure with aircraft and what are considered to be non-critical issues. Were it not for the robust construction of the building this would have claimed many more lives; normal roofs are much weaker and likely would have disintegrated over the whole building. Based on witnesses who saw the heli coming down it is speculated that the pilot was trying to land at a nearby car park but wasn't able to get there. And this won't be the end of aircraft crashing over cities with lots of casualties, as more and more aircraft of all types fly over urban areas than ever before.

[@FinnishLapphund]

Thanks, part of your reply answers the question about if it was pure luck or the robust construction of the building that stopped it from collapsing more.

[@littlebear274]

When he started describing the building and how it was originally built to support several stories the first thing I thought was "oh, thank god." It would have been so much worse if that hadn't been the case. It's sort of a nice change from the videos about building collapses where design and construction were majorly flawed and outright negligent.

[@davidcox3076]

It makes you wonder if the pilot was aware of the planned replacement. We assume so, but sometimes information doesn't get passed along.

[@lesdmark]

@@davidcox3076 he probably had no idea and that is why he ignored the warnings and was using the gauges themselves to determine fuel level even though that was specifically not what was recommended. If the thing says it's low on fuel, don't think your smarter than it is!

[@maryroberts9315]

Impressive that the helicopter company accepted responsibility without making a giant fuss.

[@coyleigh]

There are good people outside of America. I live in America and I guarantee if this tragedy happened in America the company wouldn't have admitted fault. America is ran by big pharma and Insurance companies. Companies never admit fault.

[@pamelaleigh4225]

​@@coyleighI know. It's terrible for all of us and what does it teach the children?

[@mph1ish]

@@coyleigh There are good people inside America too. Don't believe anything the media tries to shove down our throats.

[@SpookyElectric319]

They didn’t, it took years and a Fatal Accident Inquiry, www.scotcourts.gov.uk/docs/default-source/cos-general-docs/pdf-docs-for-opinions/2019fai46.pdf

[@Forflipsake]

It’s shocking to me how this story wasn’t majorly covered in England. I was 29 at the time and this is the first time hearing the story. Such a tragic incident.

[@lukey666lukey]

I remember it being all over the news at the time

[@09weenic]

Sky News had pretty much 24 hour coverage on the aftermath of the accident

[@Forflipsake]

Wow. I really can’t remember at all. Maybe was just me and whatever crazy work , lifestyle I had going at that time because I really thought I’d of remembered something so tragic. Plus my mum is a staunch and proud Scot. Damn. Make me feel so selfish not recognising it at the time, I probably brushed it off . 😞

[@empressmarowynn]

A company willingly taking responsibility?! What is this magic?

[@nerd26373]

We appreciate how well you've articulated your insights. You'll always have our support no matter what.

[@LRangerdriver]

As a 20 year pilot myself I feel qualified to say that you're only a good as your last flight.

[@user-jq2rf4nf3o]

As a 45+ year helicopter pilot - yep.

[@liselotteline8596]

​@@user-jq2rf4nf3o Could you explain, why he wouldn't switch on the other fuel pump anyway? Is there a reason, to avoid or delay it? From an outsider's perspective, I'd assume the worst case scenario, and take a faulty warning sign serious anyway, just to be safe.

[@user-jq2rf4nf3o]

None what so ever, Can't read his mind for that night... Sad @@liselotteline8596

[@mrmrshoffecker2887]

Thank you for telling their story with such respect

[@MaryDoyle-xl2ri]

🙏🙏❤️

[@Mark-yk1ny]

It's almost 10 years ago 😳 bloody hell time goes by fast

[@w0033944]

I recall this being on the news, and it seeming utterly bizarre.

[@pamelaleigh4225]

Oh, yes

[@keith800]

Good video in covering intricate detail of this incident , by the modifications made to helicopters afterwards shows the pilot was not wholly to blame , thank you for a good respectful account of this tragedy .

[@indigohammer5732]

I'm not too sure about that. The low fuel warning went off about twenty times between Bathgate and Glasgow. He turned them all off and continued his flight.

[@colharris5283]

If you get repeated low fuel warnings and are aware that the main tank is full, then not flipping a transfer switch is either arrogant or incompetent. Even if only to play safe it seems a good idea.

[@TUKByV]

Yes. He was flying over a town with the same carefree attitude someone would have while circling the block on an old bicycle. @@indigohammer5732

[@anjou6497]

It's very sad when you hear that the pilot was so experienced. If the fuel tank indicators WERE faulty, that would likely explain the crash...it's surely also a possibility the pilot had a serious medical event. ⚘️

[@davidhynd4435]

A helicopter, a pilot and two police officers. That sounds like a very expensive over-reaction to "...reports of a person trespassing on railway lines...".

[@DevilOnlyKnitsLace]

Glad I'm not the only one who had that thought. Unless there was a train carrying nuclear waste on the tracks, that's a lot of police power.

[@TheRantyRider]

It's not really an over-reaction. At night trying to find a potentially suicidal person would take up a lot of resources whereas a helicoper with IR can cover ground quickly and find them. It's easy to make a decision from a chair, but what if the person was trying to cause a train derailment - it happens- was suicidal or mentally confused and had wandered off from a hospital or the like? If a train had been derailed due to vandalism the Police would have to justify NOT sending up a helicopeter, likewise if someeones grandparent had wandered off in a confused stage and been hit by a train.

[@thegoose4715]

Vivid memories of this! Cannot believe it was 10 years ago!

[@pullt]

I've never piloted this particular helo, but it has a simlar fuel system to many other others. Ignoring indicators to transfer fuel isn't even imaginable. You will be landing one way or another.

[@williamstearns7490]

Speaks volumes of the community of Glasgow that there was so much offered and given by citizens and businesses. Reminds me of an interview with “Mr. Rodgers” where he talked about when he’d witness a tragedy as a little kid his mother would remind him to not focus on the pain, but to look for the helpers. Because no matter how bad or even dangerous, there are always helpers. And it certainly seems that Glasgow has no shortage of these. 😊

[@cwavt8849]

Here, in the South of Texas, that is commonplace. A horrible tornado came through my town, almost wiping it out. I was blessed, it came within 1/2 mile of my home. But, right after it passed, I heard lots of sirens and big trucks. Not realizing what had happened, I drove out to the highway and saw the devastation. The storm hadn't been over but 10 minutes. There were pickup trucks and tractors coming down every road. Men would just pull into the driveway of the first damaged home they came to and brought out the chainsaws, chains... In Louisiana, after a hurricane, the Cajun Navy is always first on the scene. They rescue Way more people and animals that FEMA

[@largebills337]

The thing that is confusing to me is WHY would the pilot have to make a deliberate movement to pump fuel from the main tank? Why doesn't it JUST DO THAT BY ITSELF? Granted I'm not a helicopter designer or pilot but I imagine that while you are in flight the engines tend to need fuel to continue operating so if there is fuel in the tank I can't conceive of any reason to keep it there rather than supply the engine. 🤯

[@geoffreypiltz271]

I was wondering this too. I can only guess that it's done this way so that the pilot can balance the centre of gravity and the trim of the helicopter. Does anyone else know?

[@adde9506]

Haven't looked up the aircraft specifically, but best guess is that the pump isn't "smart" enough for that and if it ran all the time would try to overfill the feeder tank for the engine or potentially flood the engine. It really isn't a big deal to have to flick a switch when the light goes ding. It really is a bizarre crash, because the pilot should have been WELL AWARE of the fuel indication mismatch and if it was reading more fuel than he was expecting, he should have flipped the switch AND immediately landed. A helicopter crash WILL kill you and if there's something wrong with the aircraft, it will kill you sooner.

[@mattislindehag3065]

There is the main tank that feeds the smaller tanks and the smaller tanks fuel the engine. This is not an isolated event. Crashes caused by feul starvation even though there is fuel onboard are not unheard of. Then again, neither are crashes caused by fuel starvation because a fuel managment pump set to automatic pumped all the fuel in to an auxillery tank with a wide open gash. Almost all aircraft have mutltiple tanks and fuel management between those tanks is the job of the pilot. Wether it's automatic or manual failing to manage the fuel correctly can be deadly.

[@Cyphyxia]

As a glaswegan i remember this story very well

[@McSynth]

I was in the Clutha a few days before the crash, to see an old friend's band perform. So tragic how a few seconds either way meant life or death for all involved. Still odd that such an experienced pilot appears to have misread his indicators. R.I.P.

[@rruth82]

Watching this on exactly the 10th anniversary of this tragedy 😢 i remember it well as i live in a neighbouring town. So tragic then and now. Thank you for covering this case.

[@chioj36]

Its rare for one of these stories to have a positive ending. Thank you

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

While a sad story, the end of this video really shows how a community can come together to find and make a silver lining as much as possible.

[@drunk3n_m0nk12]

It's very heartwarming to see the community come together to help everyone affected get through this tragedy as good as possible. It's nice to be reminded there's still some good people in this world.

[@DevilOnlyKnitsLace]

That's my take-away from this tragedy. I'm also impressed with how quickly they were able to transport the injured to hospitals.

[@LiveFreeOrDie2A]

I still don’t understand why a helicopter would rely on the pilot having to manually flip a switch to turn on a transfer pump?? Rather than the Fuel Sensor triggering a LOW FUEL alarm, why doesn’t it just close a relay that turns on the Fuel Transfer Pump automatically? With a secondary Fuel Sensor that triggers the LOW FUEL alarm shortly afterward in the event the transfer pump relay malfunctions, only alerting the pilot if the pump doesn’t turn on, to flip the manual switch?

[@WolfoftheWoodsAirsoft]

I worked with a fellow who was there that night, he was connected the Ska band, and escaped without injury (physcial) but his close friend who was inches away from wasn't so lucky. I spoke to him on the Monday afterwards...he didn't see himself as being lucky.

[@Dizzle93]

I love this channel so much i didn't even hear the title. When the paramedic mentioned the helicopter crash, I was shocked as well.

[@elle_blair]

❤️ *People Make Glasgow* ❤️ So surprised to see this on KZbin, as a Glaswegian. A girl I went to school with nearly lost her dad in this tragedy - so awful. Thank you for covering this so respectfully ♡

[@hotelmario510]

The pause before "Don't be silly, mate" made me think we were going to hear foul language for the first time in the channel's history.

[@lila2028]

How unbelievable. Thank you for naming the victims. May they rest in peace.

[@Him_He_Me]

What a wonderful community. All those fundraisers and a trust for disadvantaged kids. Very impressed that there is still so much good in the world. RIP to all who lost their life on that day.

[@fuzzymurdermittens]

A couple of nights ago a car crashed into a beer garden in Melbourne, Australia, killing 5. It's strange how the location of the accident being a pub makes it feel so different somehow.

[@stephanielloyd4053]

I heard about that on KZbin, it looked really bad. 😢 was it a different one, where 2 teenage boys died in a hit and run?

[@adde9506]

A pub makes it different for you? That must be a cultural thing. For me, the only thing that makes it feel different is if it was someplace primarily occupied by children. Still, getting mowed down out of the blue is terrible no matter where you are. Condolences.

[@stephanielloyd4053]

@adde9506 well I would imagine it's the last place you'd expect it to happen. If you were walking next to a road or stood on the path it'd be more expected than sitting in a pub garden.

[@fuzzymurdermittens]

@@stephanielloyd4053 the hit and run is a different one. There's been a lot of vehicle related deaths recently :(

[@fuzzymurdermittens]

@@adde9506 It's because of how unexpected it is, I think. I mean, who thinks they'll be killed by a helicopter while inside a pub? I was thinking a bit about it after posting my comment and I believe it is the fact that you're not on a road or pavement that makes the difference in how it feels to me. If you're in a building or other closed off space, a vehicle ploughing into you just isn't something you'd really think about. So when it happens it feels different to most such accidents.

[@cooperised]

I remember this clearly. I love these videos for their sensitive and unsensational presentation of these tragic stories. Tiny thing: Scottish Gaelic is generally pronounced "galllik", whereas Irish Gaelic is pronounced "gaylik".

[@dawnstorm9768]

Yes. I like FH for that reason as well.

[@mournblade1066]

@@dawnstorm9768 What, for mispronouncing "Gaelic"?

[@daffers2345]

This is by far my favorite "disaster" channels on KZbin, and one of my favorites overall. I originally subscribed partly because he had a clear, straightforward presentation, with facts and not opinion, and partly because he didn't insult my intelligence by begging for likes/subscribes. I wish more channels were like this!

[@drobichaud1000]

Shut up cooperised

[@krashd]

"Galllik? On bread?!?"

[@ADF_Cable]

Thanks for sharing..... And respect to the affected families as we approach 10 years from the accident....

[@Flame-Bright-Cheer]

tragic story but the overall feeling I get is of love and community and artistic expression

[@dawnstorm9768]

Who all is on that mural anyway? I saw Frank Zappa...

[@lauras6238]

​@@dawnstorm9768It's a painting of Billy Connolly, a much-loved actor/comedian from Glasgow.

[@markbowles2382]

Spike Milligan!!!

[@krashd]

@@lauras6238 20 pictures of Billy Connolly? Wow, he looks absolutely different in every one of them, even looks like Frank Zappa in one of them.

[@Straswa]

Great vid FH, glad to see the community coming together to help each other in this tragedy.

[@The_KATKAT186]

I remember when I was 11, my mum pointing out the crash site out to my gran from our hotel room while we attending Disney On Ice.

[@sallykohorst8803]

Thanks for telling this story.

[@EXROBOWIDOW]

I watch a lot of aircraft accident videos, so this was a surprise addition to that topic. I'm happy that the community worked to help rebuild their landmark pub. Here in the Los Angeles, California metro area, we lost one of the biggest local landmarks down in Orange County two days ago when one of the old World War II blimp hangars burned down. It will not be rebuilt, I'm sure.

[@scottw.3258]

I lived on Cathcart Road at this time. I remember that night, i looked out my livingroom window and saw the Police Helicopter heading back north. It wasn't even 20 minutes later i saw the headlines online about what had happened. It's tragic that people died, but we can be thankful that it wasn't more.

[@jroden06]

Best video quality and descriptions. To the point and factual.

[@lukehorning3404]

Sad but nice to see so many people come together to fix what had happened and sounds like a great community

[@doctordolldesigns4009]

What an amazing community to come together like that after a tragedy

[@2760ade]

I remember when this happened. I was of the same opinion as the bloke in the pub - " things like that just don't happen!" Truly baffling as the helicopter could have crashed landed anywhere, but landed on a relatively small pub's roof!?

[@andrewdaley5480]

I cannot believe how quickly time goes by i was genuinely shocked it had been ten years since this tragic event. 🇬🇧 ❤️

[@healingandgrowth-infp4677]

Same

[@AstraSystem]

Very fortunate that there wasn't a fire! I love how the community came together.

[@Luke_37]

I’ve also read that due to the unusual flat, dark roof, the pilot may have mistaken it as a safe landing zone immediately following the engine failure

[@SkyeSeafoodandeatit]

I was heading towards Ayrshire going past silverburn and the amount of emergency services heading in the opposite direction was phenomenal never saw that many before

[@kitsunekun2345]

Of all the potential dangers of a night at the pub, getting crushed by a helicopter was never on the lsit

[@lyedavide]

Thanks for another well researched and presented video

[@pogostix6097]

While this was a tragedy for the victims, part of me is so glad the pub survived and set up a trust and all of that stuff. You don't really hear about that kind of public outpouring of kindness where I live, unfortunately...

[@richardmcgowan1651]

It seems that the Heli just dropped onto the bar. Just not with enough force to make it explode into a ball of fire. Thank god as the death toll might have much worse.

[@elennapointer701]

Wasn't there another helicopter crash this same year in London? I vaguely recall that a helicopter flying in fog collided with a crane. It seems to have been a bad time for helicopter accidents.

[@vincitveritas3872]

There was.

[@thegoose4715]

Yes, I feel a connection to them both. I was an EMT with London Ambulance Service and responded to the Vauxhall Bridge helicopter crash. Despite the helicopter crashing onto rush hour traffic, there weren't as many fatalities as one would expect. I am from Glasgow and was in East Kilbride the night of The Clutha crash and I saw it come on the TV as breaking news... I almost made my way into town with my London Ambulance ID but decided against it so as not to get in the way. Both were shocking events, and I cannot believe 10 years has passed.

[@kurotsuki7427]

"Bird on the roof" "Wut?" "Bird on the roof"

[@KamenKnight]

A story here that I can add a bit too. As not only did I see the news report at my grandparents when it 1st happened but one of my cushions actually worked at this pub not long after it reopened. She kept telling us ghost stories working there. The typical banging doors and the oddly cold rooms in some spots.

[@grmpEqweer]

Sounds like a great place to haunt.

[@bombski5657]

Horrible tragedy, I still remember the shock at hearing the news. Also I'm sure others suggested this as a topic too but thanks for reading the comments! And thanks for making these videos

[@Stu-SB]

I drove past the Clutha just yesterday, a sympathetic but informative upload.. thank-you 👌

[@melodyszadkowski5256]

The community response was amazing. Keep faith with your locals and they will respond when you need them.

[@bradyreilly8441]

It's so wholesome that so many people chipped in to help this business and the people working/owning it to get it back up and running after all this happened

[@classicmicroscopy9398]

Though you could certainly blame the pilot, getting conflicting signals from your instruments is certainly not ideal. Thanks for spreading safety awareness, Fascinating Horror.

[@self1sch]

Question is, would activating the pumps have any negative consequences if the signal was wrong? If not, why not do it anyway just in case the warning was right?

[@alice45-fgd-456drt]

@@self1sch That's what I was thinking. Even if the fuel levels looked fine, the warning should've indicated that something with fuel transportation wasn't working as intended, definitely a "rather safe than sorry" type situation in my opinion.

[@bmused55]

Not the first time a faulty Airbus product is protected by an investigation (Then quietly fixed).

[@krashd]

@@bmused55 It's not even an any time seeing as the investigation never protected the helicopter and Airbus voluntarily made changes to them.

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

@@bmused55 That actual aircraft was proved NOT to be faulty, but some improvements were made to equipment and documentation as a result of this and other incidents. Those helicopters work round the clock all over the place without scares or crashes like this one. Human error by the pilot and crew this time…..

[@alexyo3927]

Crazy that there's no back up to allow fuel into the tanks when there's a low fuel warning.

[@RYNCANTAIM]

Been following you for ages, great to see you do the Clutha crash

[@bunnymad5049]

Great and sensitive presentation, as always. Thank you. xxx

[@EndFemicideSaveLives]

It's amazing the depths people and companies go to in other countries when things like this happen and how they come together and take care of all those affected. You don't see this a lot but when you do it's like, yes it really can be done, we just have to work together. Rest in paradise to the victims 🌺🕊️

[@cmarsh9988]

What do you mean 'other countries'?

[@HomebrandMusic01]

As a Glasweigan subscriber, and fan: Thanks for covering this!

[@dennis2376]

Thank you and have a great week.

[@fireyamethyst]

my grandpa died in a helicopter crash almost exactly a year later. it wasn't a huge disaster so there's not a lot of info on it, but I wish there was. This was really interesting.

[@DolFunTheDolhpinVtuber]

I have always hated helicopters ever since my good friend's father passed away in a crash in 98. I feel for everyone that suffered in this disaster and other's like Leicester City FC former owner and his daughter.

[@MaryDoyle-xl2ri]

🙏🙏❤️

[@Ibmyselfman]

I think Mr Rogers said that when tragedy occurs, you should look for the helpers. No shortage of helpers in this case. On top of that, the company accepted liability, the bar owner reopened in a way that respected the victims, and changes to helicopters were adapted from this. In the face of tragedy, there was no shortage of people happy to step up.

[@littlebear274]

It's absolutely true. I worked for the Red Cross after a series of fatal earthquakes in my city 12-13 years ago and we were just constantly hearing stories about people helping each other out. Nothing much that would be reported in the news because it's not as attention grabbing as the occasional selfishness but the vast, vast majority of people really look to their community in times like that. Spending all their money making sure elderly neighbours had food, fetching clean water, digging up liquefaction, doing DIY emergency repairs, shops donating stock they couldn't sell while closed or couldn't take electronic payments for with no power and no ATMs working, community drives to collect blankets and warm clothes, all on top of the rescue efforts on the worst day.

[@alanbbrady8196]

A few weird synchronisities that reflected on me here. I married a lass from Eastwood, Mains Drive and there was a Police Helicopter crash at Eastwood Toll the year we got engaged i think 1990. Terrible fatalities as it slew into a block of flats. At this time i was a Local Government Worker across the road from the Clutha. In my spare time i was a drummer for a Glasgow Ska Band, Ex Cathedra. When i heard about the crash i was living in the Western Isles having moved there for a more relaxed way of life.

[@deborahblackvideoediting8697]

It's really nice that the helicopter corporation did the right thing - accepted responsibility and paid out compensation. As we know from so many other Fascinating Horror videos, these corporations usually fight tooth and nail to avoid taking responsibility, and delay payouts for years - or decades! So lovely that the community came together to help the victims, their families, and the pub owner. And it's really refreshing that for once that owner of the building wasn't cutting corners and didn't cause numerous deaths!!