What happened
On 3 August 2007, a Robinson R44 II Raven, registration G-OSSI, departed Leeds Bradford Airport for a flight to a private landing site near Arkholme. The flight, which included two pilots and one initial passenger, later picked up a second passenger at the destination. After departing the landing site, the helicopter flew towards the M6 motorway.
During the flight, the aircraft encountered significantly degraded weather conditions. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter flying at a low altitude in poor visibility, characterized by fog and rain, performing orbits around farm buildings. The aircraft eventually struck the ground near Junction 36 of the M6 motorway. The impact was so severe that all four occupants sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and recovered a GPS receiver, which provided data on the aircraft's flight path. The investigation established that the helicopter was structurally intact and functioning normally prior to the impact. Engine examinations showed the engine was delivering significant power at the time of the crash and only stopped abruptly upon impact. No evidence of mechanical failure or pre-accident defects was found.
Analysis of the aircraft's weight and balance revealed that the helicopter was overweight by approximately 80 lbs at takeoff, as the pilots had underestimated the weight of the occupants and their luggage. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the pilot in the right seat was likely the one controlling the aircraft, which is the standard configuration for this model, though the aircraft was being operated in highly challenging conditions.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of control after the helicopter entered area of poor weather, which likely prevented the pilots from maintaining visual meteorological conditions.
- The aircraft was operating in an overweight state, with the centre of gravity outside of permitted limits.
- The pilots had relatively limited experience flying in such deteriorating weather conditions.
- The impact was of such force that the accident was not survivable.