Description

On 16 January 2013, an Augusta 109E helicopter (G-CRST) owned by Castle Air was being operated by Rotormotion on a daylight positioning flight from Redhill to Elstree under callsign Rocket 2 prior to an intended revenue charter flight was unable to land at the intended destination due to freezing fog. The pilot subsequently requested and received acceptance for a diversion to the London Heliport when nearby. Shortly afterwards, it hit the jib of a crane on a high rise building under construction and the main body of the aircraft fell, with attendant debris, to the ground where the impact triggered an explosion and fire. The sole occupant of the helicopter and one other person on the ground were killed and several others were seriously injured.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Branch (UK) (AAIB). ATC radar and R/T recordings, CCTV and the record of text messages to and from the pilot involved whilst airborne were obtained to assist. No CVR or FDR was fitted or required to be fitted to the accident helicopter. An AAIB Special Bulletin was published on 23 January 2013 to advise on the initial assembly of relevant evidence. Subsequently, it was concluded that there was no evidence of any technical defect which might have been causal or contributory to the accident outcome and as a result, this was considered "unlikely" and the Investigation focussed on the operational and regulatory context in which the collision had occurred.