McCartney avoids disaster after pilot loses control of helicopter

Paul McCartney narrowly avoided a potentially-fatal crash when the pilot of his helicopter became "disorientated" in bad weather.

McCartney avoids disaster after pilot loses control of helicopter

Paul McCartney narrowly avoided a potentially-fatal crash when the pilot of his helicopter became "disorientated" in bad weather.

The Beatles legend and his wife Nancy Shevell were just two feet away from disaster as the helicopter plunged towards trees, but fortunately the pilot dramatically lifted the chartered Sikorsky S-76C away at the last minute.

The drama happened as the aircraft attempted to land at night on a helipad at Paul's East Sussex estate and the helicopter eventually touched down safely after diverting to a nearby airport.

The couple were said to be unaware of how close they came to crashing but the near miss is being investigated by the Department of Transport.

According to The Mail on Sunday newspaper, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has categorised the episode - which occurred on May 3 - as a "serious incident", which it defines as "involving circumstances indicating that an accident nearly occurred".

The report also reveals flying conditions that night included "low cloudbase, poor visibility and rain".

Despite this, the pilot went ahead and prepared to land on Pauls's helipad, which is in the corner of a field encircled by woodland.

It added: "While manoeuvring, the commander became disorientated and the helicopter descended towards tops of trees in the forested area to the south and west of the landing site."

The pilot then "executed a go-around" or aborted landing.

Peter Norton, chief executive of the British Helicopter Association, said: "He [the pilot] was going to land and realised he wasn't in control of the aircraft because of the weather conditions and visibility; he pulled in lots of power to climb away and correct the aircraft to its proper flightpath and missed whatever it was by two feet."

Paul's spokesman said: "Paul has been spoken to. It has been put to him, everything. It's a no comment."

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

World Dyslexia Assembly American Pie star Jason Biggs recalls hiding alcohol addiction from his wife
Billie Joe Armstrong Green Day to headline UN-backed global climate concert
British Academy Film Awards 2024 Christopher Nolan and wife Emma Thomas to receive knighthood and damehood
Lifestyle
Newsletter

The best food, health, entertainment and lifestyle content from the Irish Examiner, direct to your inbox.

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited