A summary from the accident reports reads:
A vehicle was being filmed on a test track and the helicopter was flown alongside to the left at 50ft agl at an IAS of 40kts. The surface wind was reported to be 240° at 15kts.
Following a short period flying sideways in front of the vehicle, the captain turned right, down wind, in order to pass down the right hand side of the vehicle. The aircraft started to sink and, despite turning into wind and applying full power, the captain was unable to arrest the rate of descent. Full collective pitch was applied to cushion the touchdown and the aircraft landed in a level attitude on soft ground.
When it came to rest, on its left side, the captain shut down the engine and turned off the electrics. Both occupants, who were uninjured, vacated the aircraft.
The captain considered that a vortex ring condition may have developed, from which he had insufficient height to recover.
Accident Date: 1st March 1989
Accident Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire
G-TPTR Accident Summary