For context: this clarification is as a result of the
G-LAWX incident. In that incident (
discussed in this thread on pprune), the aircraft overflew the M40/M42 junction (a major motorway in the UK) at a height of less than 500'. The report carries on to say:
There is no alleviation from the requirement to remain in VMC when flying under visual flight rules. During this serious incident, descending below 500 ft (potentially within 500 ft of any person, vessel, vehicle or structure) at around 1737 hrs demonstrated either an intention to begin the landing, a willingness to breach the Rules of the Air, or a misunderstanding of those rules. The consequence of this decision to fly at an altitude of less than 500 ft agl, below the elevation of the LS towards high ground, was that the helicopter was in an undesired state.