No faults found in 'heavy landing' helicopter

Investigators have been unable to identify the reason why a helicopter pilot lost control of the aircraft and "landed heavily", a report has revealed.

The pilot was attempting to lift off from Turweston Aerodrome, Buckinghamshire, close to Brackley in Northamptonshire, on 24 April, when he tried to turn the Westland Scout AH1 helicopter left - but it rapidly rotated to the right.

A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) found that the pilot tried to stop the spin, but it had no effect - and the helicopter rotors struck its own tail as it landed.

Investigators found no evidence of any pre-existing technical faults or malfunctions that could have caused the accident.

The report noted that the helicopter was being flown in "unchallenging conditions" and within its normal capabilities.

While investigators considered the loss of tail rotor effectiveness as a potential cause, but this was deemed to be unusual in this model of helicopter.

The AAIB eventually concluded that the exact cause of the loss of control could not be determined.

The pilot and instructor on board the 1964-built military aircraft escaped with minor injuries.

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