McRae Crash & Fatal Accident Inquiry
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Colin McRae Accident
Has there ever been an official conclusion on this tragic accident. I just wondered, assuming that I simply haven't missed it, why it has taken so long?
valveguide - when the AAIB report is complete, the relatives get to view and comment on it before it is released. If there are any contentious issues which may lead to further legal proceedings or conclusions that the family don't agree with, then these need to be investigated which delays the issue of the report.
The fact that the crash was in 07 and we are still awaiting the report is a fairly clear indicator that most of the speculation at the time was ill-founded.
The fact that the crash was in 07 and we are still awaiting the report is a fairly clear indicator that most of the speculation at the time was ill-founded.
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Not seen anything.I'm waiting to read it too.
Heard loads of rumours but nothing concrete.
I'd like to think that it was some form of catastrophic failure because I hear he was a very competent pilot. It's a terrible shame either way.
Joel
Heard loads of rumours but nothing concrete.
I'd like to think that it was some form of catastrophic failure because I hear he was a very competent pilot. It's a terrible shame either way.
Joel
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No not published yet.
Presumably, the cause has been identified but there are litigious implications that are delaying publication.
Presumably, the cause has been identified but there are litigious implications that are delaying publication.
Last edited by FLY 7; 19th Jan 2009 at 13:45. Reason: spelling
Location, Location, Location
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was about to post the same link as pohm1
not fully read the report yet but the implication is that blame is being directed towards Mr McCrae.
It does seem as if standards were lacking in the McCrae houshold as far as licence compliance is concerned.
not fully read the report yet but the implication is that blame is being directed towards Mr McCrae.
An Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report into the tragedy found no cause could be positively determined.
Last edited by mocoman; 12th Feb 2009 at 02:00.
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I feel very sorry for Mr McRae and his family. I used to enjoy watching his old man race on TV.
Servo transparency / jack stall / control reversibility is often brought about by extreme manoeuvres. If that were the case, then we helicopter pilots will always have to live with the fact that, no matter whether we were specifically informed, trained, or experienced in certain emergency situations, if we can't recover, the authorities are likely going to point the figure towards pilot error.
Servo transparency / jack stall / control reversibility is often brought about by extreme manoeuvres. If that were the case, then we helicopter pilots will always have to live with the fact that, no matter whether we were specifically informed, trained, or experienced in certain emergency situations, if we can't recover, the authorities are likely going to point the figure towards pilot error.
Last edited by ReverseFlight; 13th Feb 2009 at 14:42.
Whatever the reasons for the actual crash, it appears that the public at large and the famlies involved will understand that this flight took place whilst Mr McRae was not current on type. Unfortunately, the AAIB investigation shows that this does not seem like a "one-off" which can be put down to oversight as there is a history of Mr McRae flying whilst non-current.
The McRae legal team are putting a brave face on it but I think any PPL, fixed or rotary, will be disappointed and saddened by this story.
The McRae legal team are putting a brave face on it but I think any PPL, fixed or rotary, will be disappointed and saddened by this story.
Thread Starter
UK AAIB Feb 2009
The Report is published today
No preexisting mechanical defect could be found, makes interesting reading and its quite long. Possible servo transparency during harsh maneouvering.
Air Accidents Investigation: Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel, G-CBHL
No preexisting mechanical defect could be found, makes interesting reading and its quite long. Possible servo transparency during harsh maneouvering.
Air Accidents Investigation: Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel, G-CBHL
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I've read the McCrae on and it makes for sober reading. It would appear he wasn't very good with procedures and was probably taking unnecessary risks when his luck ran out. Very sad especially for thoses who lost someone . I bet the tabloids will have a field day with it 
. I bet the tabloids will have a field day with it
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Whether or not servo transparency was an issue, this will be remembered as a crash that happened to a pilot whose licence had expired 2 1/2 years previously, whose type rating had expired over 6 months previously and who had a repeated history of flying his helicopter when unrated and unlicenced. He was also caught on video engaging in risky flying involving illegal low flying.
I wonder how all that affects the insurance and possible payouts to the family of victims? It must also be hurtful to Mr McRae's family, and even more so to the family of the other victims, to see such a history of rule breaking and risk taking laid bare.
I wonder how all that affects the insurance and possible payouts to the family of victims? It must also be hurtful to Mr McRae's family, and even more so to the family of the other victims, to see such a history of rule breaking and risk taking laid bare.
If he wasn't so well known, I think that a lot less would have been made of the 'servo transparency' issue. The AAIB report has been a long time in coming out, I suspect due to the McRae legal team and family trying some damage limitation.
He was a professional risk-taker, you can't drive at 120mph down country lanes and tracks safely and, whilst he was very good at it, those skills do not automatically transfer to helicopter flying. Very sad that he took 3 other people with him when he discovered the limits of his ability.
He was a professional risk-taker, you can't drive at 120mph down country lanes and tracks safely and, whilst he was very good at it, those skills do not automatically transfer to helicopter flying. Very sad that he took 3 other people with him when he discovered the limits of his ability.
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The report included reference to the passengers' obvious enjoyment of the flying, and does bring home the responsibility to balance the opportunity to entertain people with that of safe flight.
Whatever his flying history, and whatever was the initiating event or events, at up to 130kts speed maybe 100ft or so above the ground, down in a valley lined with trees pulling a high-G manoeuver, there would have been little or no margin to recover from any control problem.
The parents of the young boy also killed have stated that this accident was "completely avoidable". You can never completely eliminate risk, but it's hard to dispute that fact, and although the McRae family are pointing at anything other than the pilot, the pilot's decision making put them in the place where they had no scope to recover.
Also, the McRae family say the hope the report "draws a line" under the incident. Wishful thinking indeed.
Lafite
Whatever his flying history, and whatever was the initiating event or events, at up to 130kts speed maybe 100ft or so above the ground, down in a valley lined with trees pulling a high-G manoeuver, there would have been little or no margin to recover from any control problem.
The parents of the young boy also killed have stated that this accident was "completely avoidable". You can never completely eliminate risk, but it's hard to dispute that fact, and although the McRae family are pointing at anything other than the pilot, the pilot's decision making put them in the place where they had no scope to recover.
Also, the McRae family say the hope the report "draws a line" under the incident. Wishful thinking indeed.
Lafite
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I was told that the dual controls were still fitted at the time of the accident. Apart from the obvious inadvertent interference possibilities, what are the legal implications?
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Thread drift
This thread was originally started to discuss the media coverage of accidents and here we are providing easy to understand 'sensational' copy for those lesser tabloid journalists who would not read or understand an AAIB report past page 2.
This is a rumour network. The report is out. It makes sobering reading and is full of facts not rumours that hopefully some people will learn from.
Can we not leave it there and let the media have their feeding frenzy without our help.
This is a rumour network. The report is out. It makes sobering reading and is full of facts not rumours that hopefully some people will learn from.
Can we not leave it there and let the media have their feeding frenzy without our help.
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You might not agree with everything that you're reading Martin but I don't think we should all sit on our thumbs just in case a journalist is watching. No-one should be flying any type of aircraft without a valid licence, that is a FACT.
Hovering AND talking
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What rumours have been made in any of today's posts here?
Yes, dual controls were fitted; it's in the report. Yes, the aircraft was "at up to 130kts speed maybe 100ft or so above the ground"; it's in the report. Yes, the pilot didn't have a valid licence or type-rating; it's in the report.
Cheers
Whirls
Yes, dual controls were fitted; it's in the report. Yes, the aircraft was "at up to 130kts speed maybe 100ft or so above the ground"; it's in the report. Yes, the pilot didn't have a valid licence or type-rating; it's in the report.
Cheers
Whirls
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Colin McRae was a hero (in a rally car) He was an excellent world class driver who took risks. Its a shame he couldn,t separate this from flying !!
Perhaps we need to fit ROLL CAGES to these helicopters. ( just a thought )
P1D
Perhaps we need to fit ROLL CAGES to these helicopters. ( just a thought )
P1D