Ingen titel

Copter crash tragedy findings

A MILLIONAIRE killed alongside his wife when their newly-acquired helicopter crashed was attempting to fly in weather conditions which more experienced pilots might have chosen to avoid, an accident report said today.

It was possible that businessman Paul Spencer's "enthusiasm of having just taken delivery" of the Gazelle helicopter overcame any concerns about the strong and gusty wind conditions, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report added.

Had his pilot colleagues known that Mr Spencer, 43, of Brighouse, was intending to fly, "they would have Hip Hop Necklaces tried to dissuade him from doing so", the AAIB said.

The report also said that wholesale goods entrepreneur Mr Spencer, although experienced in flying fixed-wing aircraft, had only just qualified to fly helicopters.

The AAIB said its investigation had revealed "inconsistencies, and probably deficiencies" Mens Hip Hop Earrings in Mr Spencer's training and "inconsistencies and possible deficiencies in his subsequent PPL (H) - helicopter private pilot licence - skills test".

Mr Spencer and his wife, Linda, 59, died when the helicopter crashed near a chalet they owned in the grounds of the Rudding Park Hotel in Harrogate, on the afternoon of January 26, 2008.

The helicopter was seen to spin around before pitching up and striking trees tail first.

The AAIB said the Serbian-registered helicopter's engine had been overhauled by an organisation not approved for that type of engine.

The report said Mr Spencer had expected to meet his family when he arrived at the chalet but found they had gone on a shopping trip to nearby Knaresborough.

The Spencers then took off in the Gazelle and circled the area of the shopping centre before flying back towards the hotel grounds.

The AAIB made a number of recommendations, including one to the Serbian civil aviation department about maintenance.

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority was asked to look at helicopter pilot training regulations.