Accident Overview
On 3 August 2007 at approximately 1836 UTC, a Robinson R44 II Raven helicopter, registration G-OSSI, was destroyed in an accident near Sill Field Farm, about 4 miles south-southeast of Kendal, Cumbria. The aircraft was occupied by two pilots and two passengers; all four sustained fatal injuries. Subsequent examination of the wreckage revealed no significant pre-accident defects.
Flight History
The helicopter was hired from a flying school at Leeds Bradford Airport, where both pilots had trained. They planned to fly from Leeds to a private site near Arkholme, between Carnforth and Kirkby Lonsdale, to pick up a second passenger, then continue to Corncockle near Lockerbie for an overnight stay.
After pre-flight procedures, the aircraft departed Leeds at 1741 hrs with three persons on board (POB). The pilots communicated with London Information North and reported letting down near Kirby Lonsdale. They landed at a field near Carnforth around 1800 hrs. The pilots exchanged seats, the second passenger boarded, and the helicopter took off again at approximately 1827 hrs with four POB. The flight initially headed west, then turned north to follow the M6 motorway towards rising ground. A witness reported seeing the helicopter near Sill Field Farm at about 1835 hrs.
When the aircraft did not arrive at Corncockle, and mobile phones went unanswered, search and rescue operations began the next morning. The wreckage was located at 1017 hrs on 4 August, approximately 4 km north-northeast of Junction 36 of the M6, at an elevation of 600 ft amsl.
Witness Information
A local R44 owner, who had been flying earlier in deteriorating weather, heard a helicopter at around 1835 hrs. He observed a blue R44 flying low level northbound alongside the M6 at about 100 kt. He estimated the cloudbase at 300 ft agl and visibility about 1,500 m in drizzle. The helicopter disappeared from view, and he heard loud rotor blade sounds, consistent with manoeuvring. He searched for the helicopter for 20 minutes but could not locate it.
A farm worker at Sill Field Farm saw a helicopter performing low-level orbits in bad weather—fog and rain—around nearby woods. After about three orbits, the helicopter flew north out of sight. The next morning, the worker discovered the wreckage during routine livestock checks.
Weather Conditions
At the time of departure, weather forecasts for Blackpool and Leeds were suitable for VFR flight. The Met Office aftercast for the accident area indicated broken or overcast stratus cloud at 600–800 ft amsl, visibility about 2,000 m in rain (possibly less than 200 m in cloud), and southwesterly winds at 15–20 kt. CCTV footage from the farm showed poor weather with cloudbase intermittently at treetop level.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The helicopter was a 2004 Robinson R44 II Raven, powered by a single Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 piston engine. Both pilots held Private Pilot's Licences and had flown the R44 previously. Pilot 1, aged 39, had 100 total hours (45 on type); Pilot 2, aged 37, had 91 hours (8 on type). Both had flown 2 hours in the last 28 days. The aircraft was fitted with dual controls; the right seat is normally used for flying by lower-experience pilots, and on the accident flight Pilot 1 was in the right seat after the seat swap.