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London helicopter crash: Passenger 'had concerns about weather' London helicopter crash: Passenger 'had concerns about weather'
(about 1 hour later)
A passenger due to be collected by a helicopter which crashed in central London had suggested the pilot delay taking off, it has been revealed.A passenger due to be collected by a helicopter which crashed in central London had suggested the pilot delay taking off, it has been revealed.
Pilot Capt Pete Barnes and a pedestrian on the ground died when the helicopter hit a crane in Vauxhall on 16 January.Pilot Capt Pete Barnes and a pedestrian on the ground died when the helicopter hit a crane in Vauxhall on 16 January.
A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch shows the client had concerns about the weather and twice suggested take-off be delayed.A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch shows the client had concerns about the weather and twice suggested take-off be delayed.
The pilot responded by saying he was already starting his engines.The pilot responded by saying he was already starting his engines.
The interim report into the crash also says evidence indicates the top of the crane on The Tower, St George Wharf, was obscured by cloud and details the final exchange between the pilot and the air traffic controller. The factual account into the crash also says evidence indicates the top of the crane on The Tower, St George Wharf, was obscured by cloud and details the final exchange between the pilot and the air traffic controller.
Pedestrian Matthew Wood, 39, of Sutton, south London, was killed on the ground. He had been walking to work. Weather discussion
Matthew Wood, 39, of Sutton, south London, was killed as he was walking to work.
The Met Office said at the time of the crash the area was prone to widespread low cloud, poor visibility and patches of freezing fog.The Met Office said at the time of the crash the area was prone to widespread low cloud, poor visibility and patches of freezing fog.
Mr Barnes, 50, was flying from Redhill Aerodrome in Surrey to Elstree when the helicopter crashed into the crane and the burning wreckage fell into Wandsworth Road.Mr Barnes, 50, was flying from Redhill Aerodrome in Surrey to Elstree when the helicopter crashed into the crane and the burning wreckage fell into Wandsworth Road.
His client, who has not been named, called him at 07:18 GMT to discuss the weather. His client, a businessman who has not been named, called him at 07:18 GMT to discuss the weather.
Mr Barnes told him he thought it might clear earlier than forecast.Mr Barnes told him he thought it might clear earlier than forecast.
At 07:31 the client called again and said that having seen how "poor" conditions were on his way to Elstree he suggested the pilot not take off.At 07:31 the client called again and said that having seen how "poor" conditions were on his way to Elstree he suggested the pilot not take off.
After arriving at Elstree at 07:46 and finding he could not land, the pilot was going to turn back to Redhill but decided to make a diversion to Battersea Heliport.After arriving at Elstree at 07:46 and finding he could not land, the pilot was going to turn back to Redhill but decided to make a diversion to Battersea Heliport.
He was held hovering between Vauxhall and Westminster bridges while the controller checked if it was clear to land at Battersea.He was held hovering between Vauxhall and Westminster bridges while the controller checked if it was clear to land at Battersea.
After being told the heliport was open, he replied: "Lovely. Thanks."After being told the heliport was open, he replied: "Lovely. Thanks."
Moments before hitting the crane, his final words were: "Thanks a lot."Moments before hitting the crane, his final words were: "Thanks a lot."
Mr Barnes, who lived near Reading in Berkshire, had flown for Redhill firm Rotormotion for 15 years and colleagues described him as "highly skilled".
Other details in the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report include:
  • Another pilot who was aware of the journey planned by Mr Barnes, sent him a message which read: "Give me a call as I have checked weather and freezing fog around at the moment."
  • Calculations suggest the collision happened at 682 ft (207m) above ground level.
  • The total height from the ground to the top of the crane's jib was 719 ft (219m).
  • About 500kg of jet fuel was onboard at the time.
  • Witness and CCTV evidence indicate the top of the crane and the top of the building to which it was attached were obscured by cloud at the time of impact.
  • The fuel ignited at the point of impact with the ground.
  • The main rotor head, gearbox and a section of one of the four rotor blades from the helicopter landed in the loading bay of the nearby New Covent Garden Flower Market where it hit a delivery van.
The AAIB was notified of the crash at 08:20.The AAIB was notified of the crash at 08:20.
In the report, the AAIB said it would "conduct a detailed inspection of recovered wreckage and helicopter maintenance documents, and an analysis of weather conditions". In the report, it said it would "conduct a detailed inspection of recovered wreckage and helicopter maintenance documents, and an analysis of weather conditions".
It added: "The investigation will also examine the conduct of this flight, regulation of flights over London, planning guidance and regulations relevant to development around aerodromes, and the lighting of obstacles."It added: "The investigation will also examine the conduct of this flight, regulation of flights over London, planning guidance and regulations relevant to development around aerodromes, and the lighting of obstacles."