Sign in Subscribe
News agencies

Helicopter Crash Inquiry Reveals Pilot's Possible Contributing Factors

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A helicopter crash that claimed the lives of five British servicemen in Afghanistan last year may have been caused by the pilot's decision to create a feeling of weightlessness for his passengers, an inquiry has found. The incident occurred in Kandahar province on April 26, resulting in the third-largest single loss of life of British troops in Afghanistan since the conflict began in 2001. The victims included Captain Thomas Clarke, Warrant Officer Spencer Faulkner, Corporal James Walters, Flight Lieutenant Rakesh Chauhan, and Lance Corporal Oliver Thomas.

Key Takeaways:

  • The pilot, Captain Thomas Clarke, was recorded asking if passengers were strapped in before saying "bit of err, bit of floaty" moments before the final descent.
  • The inquiry panel believed the remark might indicate that the pilot intended to induce a floating sensation (called a low 'G' manoeuvre).
  • The pilot's actions may have caused the passengers to experience a momentary feeling of weightlessness during the final descent.
  • The incident resulted in the third-largest single loss of life of British troops in Afghanistan since the conflict began in 2001.
  • The crash brought the total number of service personnel killed in the conflict to 453.
  • The victims included personnel from the Army Air Corps (AAC), Royal Air Force, and Intelligence Corps.
  • The helicopter involved in the crash was a Lynx helicopter, which crashed in a valley in Kandahar province.

Statistics:

  • 5 British servicemen were killed in the helicopter crash in Afghanistan last year.
  • The incident resulted in the third-largest single loss of life of British troops in Afghanistan since the conflict began in 2001.
  • 453 service personnel have been killed in the conflict since 2001.
  • The victims included personnel from the Army Air Corps (AAC), Royal Air Force, and Intelligence Corps.
  • 1 helicopter, a Lynx, was involved in the crash.
  • The incident occurred on April 26 last year.

Sources:

  • David Mercer and Scott D'Arcy, Press Association.

Read more