Crash landing helicopter pilot had no licence

A PILOT who cheated death when his helicopter burst into flames seconds after crash landing had no licence, an investigation has found.

The 65-year-old, blinded by smoke that billowed around the cockpit, guided the powerless aircraft through an electricity power line before hurtling into a Co Wicklow hillside.

Air accident investigator Frank Russell, who found a leaking fuel hose sparked the blaze, said the pilot never produced a valid flying licence, medical certificate, or any evidence of associated flight time log books.