Twin Squirrel crash in Hampshire, UK
 

From BBC News:

Quote:

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Three dead in helicopter crash

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Full report

I fly from FAST, at Thruxton. As of writing (2/12/03 20:30) no names have yet been released, but other reports suggest it was based at Thruxton. If that's true, then it's highly likely one at least of the casualties is one of the regular pilots. I'll update the thread with news as and when.


http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image...ver_map203.gif

I've been told, but this is unconfirmed:

The helicopter was from Fast Helicopters, and the two passengers were engineers;
It came down about half a mile from the Esseborne Manor Hotel at Hurstbourne Tarrant which may be familiar to some people because it has a helipad - no suggestion so far that it was intending to land at the pad.

I emphasise that this is from a single source and is unconfirmed.


Nr Fairy
If you e-mail me I'll tell you the name of the pilot, as told to me.
I won't post it here for obvious reasons.


Very sad.

speculative cause
 

I know it is speculation at the moment but anyone got any idea of cause and circumstance?

odonella:

Circumstances are as detailed in the report above, no further detail. Personally I'll be reading the accident report for the full details, with an inkling from the general press stories over the next few days and weeks.

Well I live in Tidworth, (near Andover) and I heard the report when driving back from work this evening.

Nr Fairy, hope your fears aren't justified.

Nr, my thoughts are with you...

It's never good to hear this sort of news, but when it may be someone you know . . . . :(

Also flown with FAST (at Thruxton and Shoreham).

A great bunch.

Not looking forward to thursday

Very sad news.

When you do the job you rarely think about the dangers, but it's on days like this you get a ghastly reminder of fatal accidents that have involved friends and colleagues in the past.

I spent three weeks at Fast over ten years ago and found it to be a most friendly and professional operator then, and I'm sure it is now. Often it is just rotten bad luck that causes accidents in helicopters, and I'm sure that the pilot of this one did their damnedest to try to save the machine and its occupants.

The real tragedy of any fatal accident is its affect on the lives of those left behind. We are all thinking of them now with the deepest sympathy.

Glen livid


I would have thought that most pilots think about the danger everytime they do a job. Unfortunately you can't cover all the bases. It is a sad jolt everytime someone close goes in. We've had too many in Aus this year. Just one more reason to stay on your game I guess.

BBC South this morning suggested engine trouble since witnesses report hearing strange engine noises.

My thoughts to the pilot's and passengers' family, friends and colleagues.

To the family's & friends of those involved,my thought are with you all,a very sad day........:(

RIP Gentlemen

Whirlygig

Other witnesses report they heard "the engine stall" - it was a twin.

Someone else said "I looked up and saw the helicopter falling down nose-first with the rotor blades off. It was not on fire at that point and the blades were trailing 10-15ft behind."

Witness reports from members of the public, just like their estimates of height in other circumstances, always have to be treated with great caution.

I have an unofficial source that essentially confirms NRs worst fears, and also tells a story rather like the one Heliport has mentioned. The reported presence of engineers suggests it was some sort of engineering test flight perhaps.....

I know the guys at FAST - a great bunch.

A very sad time for all.

http://www.fast-helicopters.co.uk/im...raft/AS355.jpg

Picture from the FAST website may be the aircraft.
Sad day: R.I.P.

Can't be the above aircraft - that's a 355N and I understand the accident heli was a 355F. Deepest sympathies to all involved.

Aircraft believed to be an F1 model : G XCEL...

From the Scotsman:
 

The pilot of a helicopter that crashed killing three men was named today.

Former Army Air Corps pilot Ian Shoobridge from Durrington, Wiltshire, died with two engineers, who have not been named, when the Twin Squirrel chopper plunged to the ground on Tuesday afternoon near Hurstbourne Tarrant, Hants.

Mr Shoobridge’s employer Mike Green, manager and chief pilot of FAST Helicopters Ltd, based in Thruxton, Hants, said he and his team were “devastated” by the tragic loss of their colleague and the two engineers on board the helicopter that was operated by the company.

“Our sympathy goes out to the families and friends of the three men,” he said.

“We will be anxious to learn from the investigation exactly what caused the helicopter to fail in flight.

“The pilot, Captain Ian Shoobridge AFM, was an experienced, dedicated commercial pilot and instructor.

“As an ex-Army Air Corps pilot he had flown over 9,000 hours spanning a 25-year career with an unblemished safety record.

“He will be greatly missed by his friends and the industry as a whole.”

A statement issued by the company said the helicopter involved was one of the safest manufactured, with an exemplary history of reliability.

The company said it could make no further comment until the findings of the AAIB investigation were released.

A Hampshire Police spokesman said today the bodies of the men have been removed from the crash site, which is on isolated farmland.

Post mortem examinations are due to take place later today. The spokesman added that formal identification of the dead men would not take place until later today.

Air accident investigators are still at the crash site and police have been picking up debris from the helicopter which is strewn over a large area.

No indication of what could have caused the crash has been identified.
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Link to the report

Tiger_mate:

I can't read the registration on that photo, but G-XCEL was the aircraft based at Thruxton, an AS355 F1.

My thoughts are with Ian's wife and daughter, his colleagues at FAST, and the family and colleagues at AeroMaritime of the two engineers also killed.

A sad day
 

:{ A very very sad event - my heart goes out to all of those at FAST and the families of those involved. I know alot of the pilots and engineers at Thruxton and have been gutted by the news.

Sad news, my condolances to all. Here is a picture logged on the CAA G-Info database, just for interest and information.



http://uk.msnusers.com/dpf1hfvtp298e.../g-xcel001.jpg

Very sad news.

Sympathies to the families.

Very sad news. Deepest condolences to Ian and the pax's families.

Didn't knnow any of the three, but that doens't matter.

My condolences to all affected by this tragedy.

RIP :(

Very sad. My sympathy and condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the three men who lost their lives.

Nr Fairy
Sorry you couldn't get through this morning. My phone was switched off because I was in court; I tried to call you back at lunchtime but got your voicemail.

I see the pilot's name has since been officially dislosed.
I was told who it was by a reliable source a couple of hours after the crash, but I'm sure you agree it wouldn't have been right to give it in my post yesterday before it was officially announced.
I thought mentioning Fast Helicopters and two engineers was as far as I could properly go in the circumstances.

Tudor

From those of us here in the land of the long white cloud, sincere condolences. Never knew Ian or the engineers but they were helicopter industry professionals and thats good enough.

RIP and may they be remembered always.

Autorotate. :(

Our thoughts are with you Sue and Laura. Shoo, rest in peace pal.

A very sad day indeed, having known Ian for nigh on 20 years.

One story that I will always remember, was back in the 80s at Middle Wallop, rehearsing for the Wallop Airshow mass helicopter approach (aka The Massed Airmiss). I was part of a section of 6 lynx with Ian as the section leader. At the time he was in the Blue Eagles and was resplendant in his Eagles flying suit.

Anyway, we used to park out in farmers fields waiting for our cue, and the CFI at the time was in the habit of flying round in a Skeeter "inspecting" his troops. After a couple of visits, it was decided to give him something to inspect. So, on his next arrival all 12 aircrew were smartly lined up to attention. As he approached, 11 of us did a smart about turn, dropped our flying suits and mooned him, while Ian took the salute. Those were the days.

Ian, rest in peace mate. Sue, Laura, I've never met you, but please accept my deepest sympathies.

:(

it is always sad to here of such things
deepest condolences to all families and friends involved, our thoughts are with you
very sad day

The Scotsman is carrying a story attributed to the Press Association at
http://www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2256372

which names the engineers as James Gordon-Stables, 37, from Ludgershall, Hants, and Neville Moger, 45, from Romsey, Hants.

As many reading this will know, it was James' father John Gordon-Stables who founded Heliwork at Thruxton, now Aeromaritime. Sadly John passed away very recently from a brain tumour and I understand the funeral was only in the last few weeks. James had only recently moved back to the Thruxton area, having previously worked for two other UK maintenance organisations.

Neville used to be at Lippitts Hill with the Met Police, and moved to Thruxton a few years ago. Sadly, his wife died two years ago and I understand he leaves two children under the age of 10.

Very very sad.

This is a time to pray and reflect. Also, take some time on 25th to consider the three bereaved families then too.

My thoughts go out to all concerned. A very tragic event to three professional helicopter experts. I only knew James (and Father)
James was a fun guy and loved the biz as did his father.
They both worked in Ireland with Celtic Helicopters in the mid nighties, and James continued with Shannon Aerospace for some time. They all contributed to the industry in many positive ways and will surely be missed. RIP

Shoo,
Rest in Peace my friend, agreat loss to the industry.
Sue, Laura, please accept my deepest sympathies.
Phil H

RIP all three........................

Ian was a frequent and most welcome visitor to our Heliport a few years ago, often sitting for most of the day just shooting the breeze whilst waiting for his passengers.

A real gentleman, and a sad loss. Sincere condolences to the families of all three.

GREAT LOSS
 

I served with Ian on many occassions, including GW1, he was an outstanding pilot, instructor and gentleman.

He will be missed by many in Army Aviation and a great loss to his family particularly at this time of year.

Low Ball

It is always sad when a helicopter crashes, but it is a tragedy when so many good guys are lost. Ian was one of the best and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

I was deeply saddened at the tragic news of Ian and his passengers. My thoughts are with family and friends of those who perished in the accident.
I flew with Ian in the 90’s when he was part of Army Standards, he was part of the team who, at the time were fun to be “trapped” by. I don’t think that group of standards has been bettered since.
A sad loss.
OVC

My heartfelt sympathy to all those left behind - there for the grace of God...

Sincere condolences to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy.

RIP :(

R.I.P.

Condolences to all the families.

V.

In a statement by his family issued today it was revealed that Neville Moger’s wife Julie died in 2000 and his tragic death has orphaned the couple’s three sons Andrew, 16, Mathew, 13 and 12-year-old Paul.

Mr Moger, 45, joined the Army in 1975 working in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers where he became a highly accomplished helicopter technician and reached the rank of sergeant, the statement said. He married in August 1980.

He served in various postings before leaving the Army in 1988 and has since worked for the Metropolitan Police and other private helicopter companies.

Mr Moger was a Christian and his family described him as “a selfless and loving man, who will be greatly missed by all his family and friends”.

As ppheli said above - This is a time to pray and reflect. It is. And when we do, remember to include the family of the B407 pilot who died in the GoM earlier this week in our prayers.

FL

The real and the virtual mix. It's a small world.

It affects us ALL

RIP
MB