SEEN as the workhorse of the RAF fleet, Pumas entered service in 1971 and are generally regarded as being reliable and having a good safety record.

However, some concerns have been expressed about their use after a handful of serious crashes.

In April 2000, a Puma with 14 passengers on board came down on Hipswell Moor -near the site of Wednesday's crash -breaking in two on impact.

Nine people were injured, one seriously, with the casualties including trainee soldiers from the Army Foundation Training College in Harrogate.

As with the latest crash, the aircraft was based at 33 Squadron RAF Benson, and had been on a routine training exercise.

An inquiry concluded the tail rotor on the Puma had clipped the ground as it came in to land, forcing the aircraft into a roll.

Seconds later, the main rotor blades bit into the earth and the helicopter came down on its side.

Those on board were saved by the actions of a student navigator, who managed to cut one of the engines and throttle back the other, which was said to have contributed significantly to the aircraft not catching fire after impact.

The report said an alarm had warned the pilot that he needed to increase engine power to slow the aircraft's approach.

He did so, but not in time to lift the Puma out of danger, and its tail rotor hit the ground first.

The report concluded the cause of the crash was because of poor engine and aircraft handling, possible caused by distraction of the pilot during the final moments of approach, and a lack of advice on what air crew should do in such circumstances.

Recommendations were made, including the introduction of accident data recorders and cockpit voice recorders for Pumas, more training on simulators and better handbook advice on techniques used to avoid similar accidents.

The MoD declined to comment last night on whether these recommendations were implemented. There have also been at least two fatal crashes more recently, involving Pumas in Iraq.

Flight Lieutenant Kristian Gover, who was also serving with 33 Squadron, died in an accident at Basra Airport in July 2004.

A coroner ruled the Puma crew was not properly trained for the conditions they faced.

His surviving co-pilot, Flight Lieutenant Daniel Brook, also said Puma helicopters suffered from various problems, including a delay in power reaching the rotor blades when controls were changed.

In April this year, two Pumas collided in Iraq, killing two British servicemen.

The crash was blamed on a dust storm, generated by the turbulence caused by the helicopters' rotors, which blinded one of the pilots.

Meanwhile, 33 Pumas remain in service, 15 of them at RAF Benson, although the helicopter is due to be phased out in 2010.

Largely a battlefield and troop transport helicopter, Pumas can reach 170mph and carry up to 20 passengers or 16 fully-equipped soldiers, or up to two tonnes of freight.

The aircraft have a single, four-blade main rotor powered by two turboshaft engines.

They also contain satellite navigation equipment and an instrument landing system, and usually have three highly trained crew on board, two pilots or a pilot and a navigator, plus one other.

Although the Puma's major role is carrying troops or freight, it can be used for casualty or medical evacuation support, and can carry up to six stretchers.

Air tragedy - Page 15