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McRae flying licence had expired McRae flying licence had expired
(1 day later)
Former rally world champion Colin McRae's flying licence was out-of-date when he crashed his helicopter in a field near Lanark in September 2007. Former rally world champion Colin McRae's flying licence was out of date when he crashed his helicopter in woodland near Lanark in September 2007.
An Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report into the tragedy found no cause could be positively determined.An Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report into the tragedy found no cause could be positively determined.
Colin, 39, his son Johnny, five, and two family friends were killed when the Squirrel chopper came down in woodland. Colin, 39, his son Johnny, five, and two family friends were killed when the Squirrel helicopter came down.
The parents of six year-old Ben Porcelli, who died, said it was evident that "unnecessary risks" were taken.The parents of six year-old Ben Porcelli, who died, said it was evident that "unnecessary risks" were taken.
The accident report said that Mr McRae had been "undertaking a demanding manoeuvre" prior to the crash.The accident report said that Mr McRae had been "undertaking a demanding manoeuvre" prior to the crash.
Most of the flight was captured on video and it is clearly evident that unnecessary risks were taken and that the accident was completely avoidable Mark and Karen Porcelli It also said that a phenomenon that gives the impression that the aircrafts controls are jammed may have led to a significant deviation in the flight path that Mr McRae was trying to recover from. Colin McRae and his five year old son Johnny died in the crash class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7885487.stm">Helicopter crash was 'avoidable'
It also said that a phenomenon that gives the impression that the aircrafts controls are jammed may have led to a significant deviation in the flight path that Mr McRae was trying to recover from.
The report said disorientation, misjudgement, distraction, or other factors, may have led to this deviation.The report said disorientation, misjudgement, distraction, or other factors, may have led to this deviation.
Graeme Duncan, 37, died along with Ben Porcelli, and the rally star and his son, in the crash on 15 September 2007.Graeme Duncan, 37, died along with Ben Porcelli, and the rally star and his son, in the crash on 15 September 2007.
They had been returning to the landing strip at the McRae family's home after a short trip to a friend's farm.They had been returning to the landing strip at the McRae family's home after a short trip to a friend's farm.
In a statement, Mark and Karen Porcelli said: "We are relieved that the AAIB report has finally been published. The cause of the crash is clearly outlined in the report. In a statement, Mark and Karen Porcelli said: "Most of the flight was captured on video and it is clearly evident that unnecessary risks were taken and that the accident was completely avoidable."
Colin McRae and his five year old son Johnny died in the crash "Most of the flight was captured on video and it is clearly evident that unnecessary risks were taken and that the accident was completely avoidable." he report said that Mr McRae's five-year flying licence had expired in February 2005 and he was also not authorised to fly the type Eurocopter Squirrel helicopter he was operating as his "valid type rating" had lapsed in March 2007.
The report said that Mr McRae's five-year flying licence had expired in February 2005 and he was also not authorised to fly the type Eurocopter Squirrel helicopter he was operating as his "valid type rating" had lapsed in March 2007.
It added: "The investigations into the pilot's licensing history revealed several cases, between 2004 and the time of the accident, of non-compliance with existing regulations."It added: "The investigations into the pilot's licensing history revealed several cases, between 2004 and the time of the accident, of non-compliance with existing regulations."
The AAIB said that when Mr McRae had flown from Scotland to London in March 2006 he would have known his type rating had expired since the purpose of the flight was to meet with an examiner to renew it. We acknowledge that the report recognises the fact that, whilst Colin's licence was out of date, this was not a contributory factor in the accident. Peter Watson McRae family's solicitor TThe AAIB said that when Mr McRae had flown from Scotland to London in March 2006 he would have known his type rating had expired since the purpose of the flight was to meet with an examiner to renew it.
Speaking on behalf of the McRae family, Colin's father Jimmy said: "The AAIB report, in line with the findings of our own experts, has been unable to reach any firm conclusions on the accident and it is therefore extremely difficult to come to terms with the fact that we will never know the actual cause of the crash. Speaking on behalf of the McRae family, Colin's father Jimmy said: "The AAIB report, in line with the findings of our own experts, has been unable to reach any firm conclusions on the accident and it is therefore extremely difficult to come to terms with the fact that we will never know the actual cause of the crash."
We welcome the fact that the AAIB have made several safety recommendations and that operators of this aircraft should now be informed by the manufacturer as to certain hazards Peter Watson McRae family's solicitor "It has been confirmed by the instructors, examiners and fellow pilots with whom he flew, that Colin's skills as a helicopter pilot were of the highest order. The McRae family's solicitor, Peter Watson, said: "We acknowledge that the report recognises the fact that, whilst Colin's licence was out of date, this was not a contributory factor in the accident."
"This has been a very sad and distressing time for us, as it has been for the Porcelli and Duncan families, and we would now like to draw a line under this tragic affair."
The McRae family's solicitor, Mr Peter Watson, said: "We acknowledge that the report recognises the fact that, whilst Colin's licence was out of date, this was not a contributory factor in the accident.
"Colin first qualified during the transitional period whilst the British lifetime licence system was being replaced by the European Joint Aviation Requirements five year licence and this caused considerable confusion."
A video recording taken on a camcorder by the passenger, Mr Duncan, was recovered from the crash scene.A video recording taken on a camcorder by the passenger, Mr Duncan, was recovered from the crash scene.
Ben Porcelli and Graeme Duncan also died in the crashInvestigators viewed the five minutes of footage in an attempt to piece together what happened moments before the crash. Investigators viewed the five minutes of footage in an attempt to piece together what happened moments before the crash.
Ben Porcelli and Graeme Duncan also died in the crash
The helicopter's main rotor disc struck a fir tree about 30ft below its top as it flew at high speed and low height through Mouse Water Valley near Lanark.The helicopter's main rotor disc struck a fir tree about 30ft below its top as it flew at high speed and low height through Mouse Water Valley near Lanark.
The AAIB said Mr McRae could have been trying to recover from this and "attempting to arrest a rate of descent".The AAIB said Mr McRae could have been trying to recover from this and "attempting to arrest a rate of descent".
The report went on: "In attempting to manoeuvre low in the valley, the pilot placed his helicopter in a situation in which there was greatly reduced margin for error, or opportunity to deal with an unexpected event."The report went on: "In attempting to manoeuvre low in the valley, the pilot placed his helicopter in a situation in which there was greatly reduced margin for error, or opportunity to deal with an unexpected event."
The investigation highlighted something referred to as the "servo transparency phenomenon" which the Eurocopter company, who made the helicopter, has advised "may give a pilot who is not aware of this phenomenon an impression that the controls are jammed".The investigation highlighted something referred to as the "servo transparency phenomenon" which the Eurocopter company, who made the helicopter, has advised "may give a pilot who is not aware of this phenomenon an impression that the controls are jammed".
The report concluded: "Servo transparency may have been a factor in this accident."The report concluded: "Servo transparency may have been a factor in this accident."
Contributory factorsContributory factors
The AAIB said that a birdstrike, the dropping of a camcorder in the helicopter and possible interference with the controls by the front-seat passenger, Mr Duncan, could not be ruled out as contributory factors.The AAIB said that a birdstrike, the dropping of a camcorder in the helicopter and possible interference with the controls by the front-seat passenger, Mr Duncan, could not be ruled out as contributory factors.
The report made four safety recommendation including a tightening of licensing and proficiency check procedures.The report made four safety recommendation including a tightening of licensing and proficiency check procedures.
It also recommended that Eurocopter reviewed its information and advice about the servo transparency phenomenon.It also recommended that Eurocopter reviewed its information and advice about the servo transparency phenomenon.
The McRae's solicitor, Mr Watson, added: "We welcome the fact that the AAIB have made several safety recommendations as a consequence of this crash and that operators of this aircraft - the Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel - should now be informed by the manufacturer as to certain hazards and recovery actions relating to the operation of the craft."