THE widower of Clutha tragedy victim PC Kirsty Nelis is demanding a fresh probe into the helicopter crash in the wake of a sheriff pinning blame on the pilot.

Mark Nelis today broke his silence over the outcome of a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the deaths of award-winning Greenock officer Kirsty and nine other people when the aircraft plunged out of the sky six years ago.

Mr Nelis told how his wife trusted Captain Dave Traill 'implicitly' and declared that the conclusion by Sheriff Principal Craig Turnbull that he 'took a chance' over fuel warnings was 'surprising'.

His comments come just weeks after Capt Traill's fiancée, Dr Lucy Thomas, described the inquiry's findings as 'distressing and incomprehensible'.

Mr Nelis said: "Following the FAI determination, we find ourselves deeply concerned and frustrated with both Sheriff Principal Turnbull's comments and the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) and its reports.

"The Sheriff Principal apportioned blame to Dave, which we found to be very disappointing.

"He has commented that the pilot 'took a chance' and made a 'conscious decision' to ignore the fuel warnings.

"We find these conclusions surprising given the surrounding evidence that the aircraft had numerous fuel reading issues prior to the incident and that a number of design changes have been made to this aircraft type since."

Crew members PC Nelis, 36, of Inverkip, her colleague PC Tony Collins, 43, and Mr Traill, 51, were killed when the police EC135 helicopter crashed through the roof of the Clutha in Glasgow on November 29, 2013, as were pub customers Gary Arthur, 48, Joe Cusker, 59, Colin Gibson, 33, Robert Jenkins, 61, John McGarrigle, 58, Samuel McGhee, 56, and Mark O'Prey, 44.

Another 31 people were injured.

Mr Nelis today called into question the Air Accidents Branch report into the crash, which he says was altered before its delayed publication.

He said: "We have deep concerns with regard to the AAIB whom we believe should provide a fresh independent report in light of this FAI determination as well as releasing all forms of their report as it developed.

"The first draft report issued by the AAIB was sent to interested parties, including the helicopter owners and manufacturers, prior to its publication.

"The report was finally released over four months late and had been amended on a number of key points.

"We have not been made aware of why it was changed or what contributions were made to it.

"We as a family have been left with a sense of frustration by the outcome of this inquiry, in particular with the AAIB report and with the Sheriff Principal's determination and

criticism of the pilot."

Mr Nelis said: "Kirsty loved her job within the Air Support Unit and spoke highly of the skill and professionalism of all those she worked with including the police air observers, the

pilots and the engineers.

"She spoke particularly highly of Captain Dave Traill and her colleague PC Tony Collins whom she trusted implicitly and whom she regarded as friends as well as colleagues."

Lucy Collins, widow of PC Tony Collins, said: "I am not an expert in anything mechanical and I don't profess to offer any kind of expert knowledge on this, but I do know that Dave was trusted by Tony as a diligent and skilled professional.

"This statement was submitted to the FAI but I don't believe that it was used by the Sheriff Principal because he wanted the relatives' statements to be focused more on Tony's personal and family life.

"I felt very strongly that I wanted all those involved in the Inquiry to know that Tony had trust and confidence in Dave Traill."

Capt Traill's fiancée Dr Thomas said earlier this month that the aircraft manufacturer's manual incorrectly stated that there was a four-minute 'flame-out' time before the helicopter would lose both engines, but in reality he only had 32 seconds.