A slightly less dramatic reporting from
The Daily Telegraph:
Sir Paul McCartney and his wife Nancy Shevell narrowly avoided disaster after the helicopter they were travelling in almost crashed into trees in the driving rain, according to air traffic reports.
The couple were travelling back from the launch of Sir Paul's daughter Mary's new cookery book in London to their home in London when the incident happened in May.
According to reports released by the Air Accidents Investigations Branch, that monitors air traffic, the helicopter came within "two feet" of crashing into the trees.
The report said that the "commander" of the helicopter became disorientated in bad weather and skimmed the trees while trying to land.
In the end, the unnamed 55-year-old pilot, was forced to abort the landing and instead land at nearby Lydd Airport in Kent.
The near miss was recorded as a "serious incident", which it defines as "involving circumstances indicating that nan accident nearly occurred".
No action will be taken against the charter company Air Harrods, although recommendations have been made over flight safety.
The firm, that is also used by Tony Blair, charges £3,000 an hour for helicopter flights.
Sir Paul, 70, married his 52-year-old third wife Nancy Shevell last year.
His eldest daughter Mary McCartney, has written a cookbook on vegetarian dishes.
His spokesman declined to comment.
Regardless, I'm intrigued at the accuracy of the radalt that reads
two feet off the top of a tree
