Finland/Estonia Helicopter Crash Update

YLE reports that divers have now recovered 13 bodies from the wreck of the Copterline helicopter that crashed Wednesday en route from Tallinn to Helsinki. The body of one of the two pilots is missing. The report adds:

Copterline, Finland's largest helicopter operator, says the reason for the crash remains unclear. The company says all its helicopters were in a well-maintained condition.

The company's CEO, Kari Ljungberg, does not believe windy weather was a factor in the crash.

Copterline says the two Finnish pilots on Wednesday's ill-fated flight were highly experienced. The company has flown on the Helsinki-Tallinn route since 2000, with some 28 flights are made daily. Copterline resumed service on Thursday, but weekend flights will be cancelled.

Estonian air traffic controllers lost contact with the craft three minutes after take-off but said it did not send out any distress signal. The craft went down in strong gusty winds. Eyewitness reports suggest that two loud bangs may have been heard before the craft crashed into the sea.

Copterline was in the headlines last year when Civil Aviation Administration Officials imposed a temporary ban on its flights over the Gulf of Finland during poor weather. At the time, officials said Copterline crew members did not have adequate training and skills to fly in poor weather. After additional training was carried out, the ban was lifted