What happened
On 26 January 2008, an Aerospatiale/Westland SA 341G Gazelle, registration YU-HEW, was involved in a fatal accident near Rudding Park, Harrogate. The pilot, who had recently obtained his private helicopter licence, was conducting a private flight with a passenger. Witnesses observed the aircraft flying at a low altitude and slow speed near a hotel chalet. The helicopter was seen to spin, pitch upward, and subsequently drop to the ground, resulting in two fatalities.
Radar and GPS data indicated that the aircraft had been circling the Knaresborough area at various altitudes before returning toward the hotel grounds. During the final moments, the aircraft appeared to move erratically, with the tail moving from side to side, before impacting the ground in a heavily wooded area.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation examined the wreckage, the pilot's training history, and the prevailing weather. Mechanical examination of the engine and flight controls showed no evidence of a pre-impact failure or technical defect. While some maintenance inconsistencies were noted regarding an engine overhaul performed by an unapproved organisation in Serbia, these were not considered causal to the crash.
The investigation also scrutinized the pilot's training records. Discrepancies were found in the pilot's logbook, and there was a lack of supporting documentation, such as instructor logs or technical logs, to verify the full extent of his training. Furthermore, the investigator noted that the examiner for the pilot's skills test had a professional relationship with the pilot's instructor.
Findings
- The pilot was operating the aircraft at a low forward airspeed in strong, gusty, and turbulent wind conditions.
- The pilot's lack of experience and probable inadequacies in his training were primary contributing factors.
- The aircraft's flight path was influenced by the wind, leading to a loss of control in both yaw and pitch.
- The impact was non-survivable for both occupants.