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Pilot criticised over Puma crash Pilot criticised over Puma crash
(10 minutes later)
Three men killed in an RAF Puma crash in North Yorkshire died because the pilot was attempting manoeuvres beyond his capabilities, a coroner has ruled.Three men killed in an RAF Puma crash in North Yorkshire died because the pilot was attempting manoeuvres beyond his capabilities, a coroner has ruled.
Pilot Flt Lt David Sale, 28, and crewman Sgt Phillip Burfoot, 27, from RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, died in the crash near Catterick Garrison. Pilot Flt Lt David Sale and crewman Sgt Phillip Burfoot, 27, of Cardiff - both from RAF Benson in Oxfordshire - died in the crash near Catterick Garrison.
Pte Sean Tait, 17, of Glasgow, died in hospital two days later, on 10 August.Pte Sean Tait, 17, of Glasgow, died in hospital two days later, on 10 August.
Recording a narrative verdict, the coroner criticised the administration of RAF Benson where the men were based.Recording a narrative verdict, the coroner criticised the administration of RAF Benson where the men were based.
'Inexperienced' crew'Inexperienced' crew
Coroner Geoff Fell said the administration "left much to be desired", adding: "Against a background of deteriorating administration, airmanship and discipline, the helicopter crashed."Coroner Geoff Fell said the administration "left much to be desired", adding: "Against a background of deteriorating administration, airmanship and discipline, the helicopter crashed."
The Puma crashed on 8 August 2007, killing Flt Lt Sale, of Norton, Teesside, and Sgt Burfoot, of Cardiff. Pte Tait died two days after.
The crash happened during a training exercise to familiarise service personnel with the use of helicopters in combat situations.The crash happened during a training exercise to familiarise service personnel with the use of helicopters in combat situations.
The fatal crash happened during a training exerciseThe fatal crash happened during a training exercise
The inquest in Harrogate heard how a taxi driver stopped in the road as the helicopter flew low overhead.The inquest in Harrogate heard how a taxi driver stopped in the road as the helicopter flew low overhead.
Mr Fell said: "He stopped the car. He was eyeballing the pilot and described the helicopter 5ft above his car."Mr Fell said: "He stopped the car. He was eyeballing the pilot and described the helicopter 5ft above his car."
The coroner, who described the taxi driver's evidence as "compelling", also played extracts of the last two hours of the cockpit voice recording of the aircraft in which the pilot could be heard swearing.The coroner, who described the taxi driver's evidence as "compelling", also played extracts of the last two hours of the cockpit voice recording of the aircraft in which the pilot could be heard swearing.
Flt Lt Sale could be heard to say "let's scare the shit out of this taxi". Flt Lt Sale, 28, of Norton in Teesside, could be heard to say "let's scare the shit out of this taxi".
The inquest also heard that the Johnny Cash song Ring Of Fire was being played over the cockpit speaker.The inquest also heard that the Johnny Cash song Ring Of Fire was being played over the cockpit speaker.
Mr Fell said that crew members in the Puma helicopter on the day of the crash were "inexperienced" and were undertaking their first trip without an instructor watching them.Mr Fell said that crew members in the Puma helicopter on the day of the crash were "inexperienced" and were undertaking their first trip without an instructor watching them.
He added that nobody seemed to have laid out ground rules to the crew, and Flt Lt Sale missed an opportunity to remind himself of what he was authorised to do during the flight.He added that nobody seemed to have laid out ground rules to the crew, and Flt Lt Sale missed an opportunity to remind himself of what he was authorised to do during the flight.
The coroner said most of the flying on the day "seems to have taken place at less than 100ft" and added the tactical manoeuvres were "excessive in number and irregularity".The coroner said most of the flying on the day "seems to have taken place at less than 100ft" and added the tactical manoeuvres were "excessive in number and irregularity".
He said the crew was "oblivious" at times and there was a deterioration in discipline.He said the crew was "oblivious" at times and there was a deterioration in discipline.
Mr Fell said: "One can see that while some of the factors individually might not lead to a hazardous situation, collectively they are almost certainly leading to a mishap."Mr Fell said: "One can see that while some of the factors individually might not lead to a hazardous situation, collectively they are almost certainly leading to a mishap."