Background
The accident involved an Enstrom 280FX Shark helicopter, registration G-BYSW, manufactured in 1988. It was powered by a single Lycoming HIO-360-F1AD piston engine. The pilot, a 78-year-old male holding a Private Pilot's Licence, had accumulated 267 hours on type, with 9 hours in the last 90 days and 4 hours in the last 28 days. The flight was a private journey from Plymouth to Dunkeswell.
Pre-Flight Preparations
The pilot obtained a weather forecast from Plymouth ATC, receiving a Met Form 215 issued that morning but valid only from 1400 UTC. He also contacted Dunkeswell for actual weather conditions. Based on this information and the visibility of Dartmoor's top from Plymouth, he considered the weather suitable and departed.
The Flight and Accident
During the flight across Dartmoor, the pilot encountered low stratus cloud and made several deviations to stay clear. At approximately 1120 UTC, due to a lowering cloud base and reduced visibility, he attempted a precautionary landing near Hay Tor. The landing site appeared to be shallow heather but was actually deep gorse bushes. The helicopter sank into the bushes and rolled to the left, causing damage to all rotor blades and the left side of the fuselage, including the left door. The pilot, who sustained minor injuries, performed shutdown checks and exited through the right door.
Factors Noted by the Pilot
The pilot reported that factors leading to the accident included inadvertent use of the incorrect forecast and not fully considering the possible effects on cloudbase of a south-easterly wind blowing onto the eastern side of Dartmoor.