...and just take a quick look at the facts surrounding Max's flight. Was Wx even mentioned as a possible factor? I always thought it was.

I have worked with Steve for the last few years doing the TT and Manx Grand Prix Air Ambulances. First class Pilot. He should have been here in less than a month for the TT - will be greatly missed.

BBC Radio 4 News have repeated (on the 10pm News) the account of a witness that the helicopter seemed to be 'looking for an alternative place to land' (this came from a transport company operating a depot close to the crash site) 'as there seemed to be something wrong (with the aircraft)'.

What about endurance?

To listen to the 6 o'clock News bulletin:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/noscript....o4/six_pm_news
From 10 minutes on, specific comment from 'witness' at 12 minutes to 12minutes 30secs.

Stud 1

Thanks for the insight, I have only been doing this job for 30 years so I didn't know that there wasn't such a thing as an auto TAF.

Likelihood is though that there would have been a TAF available, if not for the exact destination, then somewhere close, then there is an old thing called an area forecast, then there other Metars and TAFS for en route airfields and even internet.

Bottom line is, there should have been more than enough information available to make a sound decision about whether to depart, whether to divert en route etc. As it was, the wrong decision was made resulting in fatalities and the resulting grief for families and loved ones.

It was our old a/c before we changed it for our EC135. Full IFR AS355 F2. Previous reg: G-NWPI.
Steve was also a close friend of one of our pilots as he and his colleague had set up Atlas several years ago and were making a success out of it. Very competent and transparent company it has to be said.
I wonder if the Wx was Radiation fog on such an otherwise beautiful night? At only 1 mile to run to the site, they may have been letting down to land?
The picture in cyclic fondlers link shows an AS350??

RiP all.

Isn't it sad that when four people, one of them a collegue to many who view this site, have died all we seem able to do is bicker about who knows what about the weather and weather reporting. Excuse me, I'm just going to sit here for a while quietly. RIP

well said! RIP

As an Engineer and having an all too brief working relationship with Steve I'd like to pass on all my condolences to everyone who is affected by this sad loss, be they associates,family,business partners or just people who had met Steve and thought he was a good guy. Please all, have the decency and respect to leave all the speculation until the official AAIB report and give up all your energy into supporting everyone who is affected by this tragic loss.

Again well said.

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds...and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of...wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up, the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, nor even eagle flew.
And while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space...
...put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

John Gillespie Magee, Jr

RIP

My deepest condolences to the families and friends of those souls that have perished. This is a very sad and painful time.

Rest in peace

Today we have lost a true gentleman and an example to all, my condolences go to the passengers too.

Steve RIP mate.

Desperate tragedy involving three people I know.

If it might help shut up those on this forum who are picking at the entrails...Phil and Judith own The Haycock in Wansford..

To the newcomers on here, I reiterate on behalf of most of the pro's already established on this forum.
This is a rumour network, just like you would talk about the accident in the office/crewroom etc so too would you chat here.
Derogatory and libellous remarks are obviously not welcome during the debate but please accept that genuine open discussion is a part of the fabric.
Take a look at all the other accidents/ incidents posted on Pprune to coroborate this.:hmm:

I agree ...

There seems to be many reports of 'eye witness's seeing the aircraft some reports even include seeing its beacon and postion lights, does this not point towards the aircraft clear of any weather ?? ... is it possible that it was tracking below the cloud base. Metar was reporting 200' ... pretty low to be searching for home or alt place to land.

TC, granted but at least with the crew room it is private and you know to whom you are talking!

Cheers

Whirls

God spare us the amateur experts. This forum is supposed to be for "A haven for professional helicopter pilots to discuss the things that affect them." Please if you are not a professional pilot then stop speculating, the media just love it.

Steve was a friend to many of us, I have some very happy memories of working and socialising with Steve, and through bitter experience can imagine the pain his familly and close colleagues are going through.

To all at Atlas, all of us here in this company (Mike knows who I am) are thinking of you and are here for anything should you need us.

AM I right in saying that this was the "Trident" callsign we speak to so often?

Disturbingly similar to this incident.
http://archive.thisisoxfordshire.co..../29/86954.html

personally i cannot see any similarity myself...maybe me but then i`ve had a beer or four to remember a decent bloke

bobmij, you are joking? Apart from it being a crash in same type, where is the similarity? One pilot onboard. People saw it happen so possibly vis not a problem. Haven't read aaib report on it so don't know for sure. Now people are just adding stuff to this thread for no reason.

Not necessary!:ugh: