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Helicopter pilot who crashed, killing himself and wife, was unqualified Helicopter pilot who crashed, killing himself and wife, was unqualified
(4 months later)
A businessman who died with his wife when the helicopter he was flying crashed was an "unqualified and inexperienced" pilot, an inquest jury has concluded.A businessman who died with his wife when the helicopter he was flying crashed was an "unqualified and inexperienced" pilot, an inquest jury has concluded.
Paul Spencer, 43, and his wife Linda, 59, were killed when the helicopter turned upside down and crashed at the Rudding Park luxury resort in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in January 2008.Paul Spencer, 43, and his wife Linda, 59, were killed when the helicopter turned upside down and crashed at the Rudding Park luxury resort in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in January 2008.
Serious flaws later emerged in Spencer's training, which was not sufficient to grant him a licence, a four-day inquest heard.Serious flaws later emerged in Spencer's training, which was not sufficient to grant him a licence, a four-day inquest heard.
Spencer had picked up his new Gazelle aircraft from Essex on the day he died and had flown back to the park, where the couple owned a lodge, North Yorkshire coroner Rob Turnbull said.Spencer had picked up his new Gazelle aircraft from Essex on the day he died and had flown back to the park, where the couple owned a lodge, North Yorkshire coroner Rob Turnbull said.
The entrepreneur, who had held his helicopter licence for just six weeks, took his wife on a flight over nearby Knaresborough but lost control as they returned to the resort.The entrepreneur, who had held his helicopter licence for just six weeks, took his wife on a flight over nearby Knaresborough but lost control as they returned to the resort.
Witnesses told the inquest at the Cedar Court hotel in Harrogate how they watched the low-flying chopper pitch and tilt on to its end before plunging below the treeline. A post-mortem examination revealed that both husband and wife died from multiple injuries.Witnesses told the inquest at the Cedar Court hotel in Harrogate how they watched the low-flying chopper pitch and tilt on to its end before plunging below the treeline. A post-mortem examination revealed that both husband and wife died from multiple injuries.
The inquest heard how there were high gusts of wind on the afternoon of the crash. Air accident investigators later highlighted "several areas of concern", Turnbull told the jury.The inquest heard how there were high gusts of wind on the afternoon of the crash. Air accident investigators later highlighted "several areas of concern", Turnbull told the jury.
The fact Spencer got his licence after just 10 days of training was "not impossible" but "highly unusual", according to investigators.The fact Spencer got his licence after just 10 days of training was "not impossible" but "highly unusual", according to investigators.
Turnbull said at the beginning of the inquest: "The conclusion of the experts in this case is that the cause of the crash is adverse weather conditions and the fact that the pilot had not received sufficient training to qualify for his licence."Turnbull said at the beginning of the inquest: "The conclusion of the experts in this case is that the cause of the crash is adverse weather conditions and the fact that the pilot had not received sufficient training to qualify for his licence."
The Civil Aviation Authority found that "the majority of flights" recorded as proof of training "did not occur", the jury heard.The Civil Aviation Authority found that "the majority of flights" recorded as proof of training "did not occur", the jury heard.
On Friday the jury of six women and three men returned narrative verdicts. "Paul Spencer, an unqualified and inexperienced helicopter pilot, died on January 26, 2008, whilst piloting a Gazelle helicopter which crashed in adverse weather conditions.On Friday the jury of six women and three men returned narrative verdicts. "Paul Spencer, an unqualified and inexperienced helicopter pilot, died on January 26, 2008, whilst piloting a Gazelle helicopter which crashed in adverse weather conditions.
"Linda Mary Spencer died on January 26, 2008, when she was a passenger in a Gazelle helicopter which crashed in adverse weather conditions whilst being flown by an unqualified and inexperienced helicopter pilot.""Linda Mary Spencer died on January 26, 2008, when she was a passenger in a Gazelle helicopter which crashed in adverse weather conditions whilst being flown by an unqualified and inexperienced helicopter pilot."
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