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.

He had claimed to have accumulated approximately 2,000 hours over his flying career.

The crash happened on August 2, 2007, near Newtownmountkennedy.

After practising some circuits, the pilot said the cockpit filled quickly with smoke and the aircraft lost total engine power.

As he searched for a flat field for emergency landing, the helicopter cut through some ESB domestic power lines and landed on its side on a hill directly under ESB high-tension lines.

The pilot told investigators he flew the helicopter by feel only, as the smoke seriously impaired his forward view.

“The passenger also recalled that the visibility was so bad due to smoke that he could not fully see the pilot,” said Mr Russell.

The pilot and passenger exited the helicopter within 10 seconds.

“Almost immediately the helicopter was engulfed in flames, which destroyed the cabin, engine and gearbox area,” said Mr Russell.

“Only the rear section of the tail boom remained recognisable and intact.”

Inquiries were made to the Irish Aviation Authority, UK Civil Aviation Authority and the USA Federal Aviation Administration about the pilot, but none held a record of the pilot having a licence.