Gazelle down in NI.
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: right here right now
Nothing more I can add to the many condolances already posted.
To the families and friends my deepest sympathy.
As a Former 655 member i wish all of those in 665 the best and hope they can get through this difficult time.
More information from those in the know please as the national news seems to have forgotten this tragic event already.
RIP
To the families and friends my deepest sympathy.
As a Former 655 member i wish all of those in 665 the best and hope they can get through this difficult time.
More information from those in the know please as the national news seems to have forgotten this tragic event already.
RIP
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Ballykelly
A sad day. Two more aviators "VMC on top".
The thoughts of the Cooper family are with those of the family and friends of two who were lost.
I trust that the Jock Nag will swing when the time is right, I'm sure that the whoever was involved would not want festivities to cease.
The thoughts of the Cooper family are with those of the family and friends of two who were lost.
I trust that the Jock Nag will swing when the time is right, I'm sure that the whoever was involved would not want festivities to cease.
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: oxford
A very sad day indeed, my sincere thoughts go to the families involved. It is ironic that my brother in law was killed in a Lynx crash in Bosnia 5 years ago to the day !!!!
Sad times but at least they where doing something they loved.
Enuff Said
Hog
Sad times but at least they where doing something they loved.
Enuff Said
Hog
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: 57 Mount Pleasant St
A good good friend is lost, I'm inconsolable..my thoughts are truly with his wife and children..christmas is cancelled for me. Also my heartfelt sympathies go out to the family of the young officer whose life has been cruely taken.
Sleep well mate
This really really sucks
Sleep well mate
This really really sucks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: No idea, I can't use a map
The names have now been released at;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3342373.stm
The Ac Comd was Sergeant Simon Bennett, 35, a married father-of- three from Telford in Shropshire.
The pilot was Captain Andrew Nicoll, 27, who was single and from Grantham in Lincolnshire.
RIP
I have a photo of Si Bennett flying a Squirrel, msg or email if you want a copy. Can't figure out how to post it on this topic.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3342373.stm
The Ac Comd was Sergeant Simon Bennett, 35, a married father-of- three from Telford in Shropshire.
The pilot was Captain Andrew Nicoll, 27, who was single and from Grantham in Lincolnshire.
RIP
I have a photo of Si Bennett flying a Squirrel, msg or email if you want a copy. Can't figure out how to post it on this topic.
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
From: YES
http://www.utv.co.uk/newsroom/indepth.asp?pt=n&id=40842
The names released today are
Capt Andrew Nicoll
SGT Simon Bennett
God Bless You and Your loved ones
May you rest in Peace
The names released today are
Capt Andrew Nicoll
SGT Simon Bennett
God Bless You and Your loved ones
May you rest in Peace
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: North Oxfordshire, UK.
Condolences to the family,friends and fellow squadron members of the crew - my thoughts are with you.
I must also add that the UTV report on the link posted by NURSE contains some extremely cheap and insensitive political soundbites from the local SDLP councillor....he should be bloody well ashamed of himself.
I must also add that the UTV report on the link posted by NURSE contains some extremely cheap and insensitive political soundbites from the local SDLP councillor....he should be bloody well ashamed of himself.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: No idea, I can't use a map
X-QUORK
What do you expect? The SDLP/Sinn Fein can be relied upon to try to make political mileage from anything like this.
I await the findings of the investigation with trepidation. There but for the grace of [insert deity here] go I.
[edited because my hands are shaking too much to type properly]
What do you expect? The SDLP/Sinn Fein can be relied upon to try to make political mileage from anything like this.
I await the findings of the investigation with trepidation. There but for the grace of [insert deity here] go I.
[edited because my hands are shaking too much to type properly]
PPRuNe Time
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Mechanical Failure the Cause of Copter Crash
Jan 2 2004
A HELICOPTER crash in which two Army pilots were killed outside Londonderry last month was caused by mechanical failure, it emerged yesterday.
The Gazelle aircraft came down in a field near City of Derry Rugby Club, in Gransha, on December 22.
The two pilots, 27-yearold Captain Andrew Nicoll, from Grantham in Lincolnshire and Sergeant Simon Bennett, 35, a married father-of-three from Telford in Shropshire, were killed instantly.
The Gazelle had been on a routine flight from Omagh in Co Tyrone, nearly 40 miles from the crash scene, and was destined for Ballykelly Army base.
The initial investigation has been completed but a full report on the crash is not expected until later this year.
It is understood the report has blamed mechanical failure for the crash.
The two soldiers, who were part of 5 Regiment Army Air Corps, will be buried in England later this month.
Eyewitnesses described the aircraft as "spiralling out of control".
Investigators spent several days examining the wreckage at the scene before moving it to England for further examination.
They also looked at air traffic control tapes from nearby City of Derry Airport to try to establish what happened in the moments before the crash.
An Army spokesman said they would not be commenting until the full report has been completed.
The Gazelle's primary role is observation and reconnaissance.
It is also used in a wide variety of supporting roles.
More than 1,000 Gazelles are in service with the armed forces and civil aviation organisations throughout the world.
icnorthernireland.icnetwork.co.uk/news
It was debatable whether to post this, as the vague comments that the information had "emerged yesterday" and that "it is understood" have no source cited.
Jan 2 2004
A HELICOPTER crash in which two Army pilots were killed outside Londonderry last month was caused by mechanical failure, it emerged yesterday.
The Gazelle aircraft came down in a field near City of Derry Rugby Club, in Gransha, on December 22.
The two pilots, 27-yearold Captain Andrew Nicoll, from Grantham in Lincolnshire and Sergeant Simon Bennett, 35, a married father-of-three from Telford in Shropshire, were killed instantly.
The Gazelle had been on a routine flight from Omagh in Co Tyrone, nearly 40 miles from the crash scene, and was destined for Ballykelly Army base.
The initial investigation has been completed but a full report on the crash is not expected until later this year.
It is understood the report has blamed mechanical failure for the crash.
The two soldiers, who were part of 5 Regiment Army Air Corps, will be buried in England later this month.
Eyewitnesses described the aircraft as "spiralling out of control".
Investigators spent several days examining the wreckage at the scene before moving it to England for further examination.
They also looked at air traffic control tapes from nearby City of Derry Airport to try to establish what happened in the moments before the crash.
An Army spokesman said they would not be commenting until the full report has been completed.
The Gazelle's primary role is observation and reconnaissance.
It is also used in a wide variety of supporting roles.
More than 1,000 Gazelles are in service with the armed forces and civil aviation organisations throughout the world.
icnorthernireland.icnetwork.co.uk/news
It was debatable whether to post this, as the vague comments that the information had "emerged yesterday" and that "it is understood" have no source cited.
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Northern Ireland
Helicopter Crash 22/12/2003
I am the wife of Sgt Simon Bennett the pilot who was killed in the Gazelle helicopter crash on 22/12/03 in NI. I noticed from reading the messages that 'Paddy Don't Surf' has a picture of Simon flying in Squirrel. Is there any chance you could send me a copy for the kids. Much appreciated. Thanks. Debbie
I hope you don't mind, but I've removed your address because I'm worried about it being posted on a public forum. I'm one of the forum moderators - I've made a note of your address and I'll send the photograph on to you as soon as it's available.
I know I'm speaking for all members of this forum when I express my heartfelt sympathy to you and your children. Loss of life is always sad but when a helicopter pilot loses his life in an accident we feel it all the more because, whether or not we knew Simon personally, he was one of us.
Heliport
Will 'Paddy Don't Surf' or anyone else with a photograph of Simon please contact me asap.
Thanks.
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 15,110
Likes: 1,083
From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Mrs Bennett (Debbie?),
Please allow me, in common with all the other folk posting on the forum, offer my very sincere condolences on your tragic loss.
I also hope you get your photo and I'm sure you will, but I think it's perhaps not a good idea to post your personal address on the website. Perhaps better to edit it out; you can always communicate via a private message.
Best regards, from an ex-RAF NI pilot.
Shyt
Please allow me, in common with all the other folk posting on the forum, offer my very sincere condolences on your tragic loss.
I also hope you get your photo and I'm sure you will, but I think it's perhaps not a good idea to post your personal address on the website. Perhaps better to edit it out; you can always communicate via a private message.
Best regards, from an ex-RAF NI pilot.
Shyt
