Crash helicopter was overloaded
AN investigation has found that an Arkholme businessman, his son and two friends were killed after their helicopter crashed in appalling weather, moments after trying an emergency landing.
Peter Patrick, 68, from Arkholme near Carnforth and his son Anderson, 37, (pictured) died when the Robinson R44 II Raven helicopter crashed in a field close to the M6, near junction 36 in Cumbria, on August 3 last year.
A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the aircraft was overloaded by 80lbs and its centre of gravity was outside flying limits – making it more difficult to fly. Minutes before crashing, the aircraft had flown orbits around farm buildings suggesting they realised the weather was too bad to fly, but had decided not to attempt a landing.
They had been bound for Lockerbie in Scotland for a hunting trip.
Two other men, from West Yorkshire, also died in the tragedy. Mr Patrick Snr, a successful businessman, had just started his retirement and was a former Master of the Vale of Lune Hunt in Lancashire and Bedale Hunt in Yorkshire.
The full article contains 183 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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Last Updated:
08 July 2008 9:25 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Lakeland
