Targa top
How on earth can something like this happen, doesn't this operator have some sort of "off-airfield" approach procedure
That's the problem, they clearly did, and it certainly didn't involve abiding to the legal requirements of maintaining VMC below 1000' or even to a vaguely sensible height below that figure! The AAIB report will make spectacular reading, and it will be interesting to see what else comes out. There ought to be plenty of FDR/CVR evidence, although some are saying that this was wiped because the incident wasn't reported as 'promptly' as it could have been!
76 Fan
It was the Ops Director, not the CP. Either way, I don't really see a conflict as its the accountable manager's responsibility to ensure that commercial issues don't reduce flight safety. Then again, with AH's peculiar arrangements, who is the AM?!
Not sure what you mean about having an "SOP" for "sites like this". Surely the ANO and JAR-OPS are clear enough? Or are you suggesting there should be "company minima"?!!!