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| Helicopter crash: strict rules govern London airspace | Helicopter crash: strict rules govern London airspace |
| (25 days later) | |
| Strict rules govern the flying of helicopters in central London, a stretch of airspace that some pilots describe as among the most closely monitored in the world. | Strict rules govern the flying of helicopters in central London, a stretch of airspace that some pilots describe as among the most closely monitored in the world. |
| A "notice to airmen" was issued last week by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) warning of a newly erected crane on the river Thames alongside The Tower in Vauxhall – the crane the helicopter reportedly crashed into . | A "notice to airmen" was issued last week by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) warning of a newly erected crane on the river Thames alongside The Tower in Vauxhall – the crane the helicopter reportedly crashed into . |
| Under international aviation rules, all tall structures on flightpaths or near aerodromes must be fitted with specially designed, bright red aircraft warning lights. According to the CAA, the crane was lit at night, but it is unclear if the light was still on when the helicopter crashed at about 8am when the structure was reportedly hidden by cloud. | Under international aviation rules, all tall structures on flightpaths or near aerodromes must be fitted with specially designed, bright red aircraft warning lights. According to the CAA, the crane was lit at night, but it is unclear if the light was still on when the helicopter crashed at about 8am when the structure was reportedly hidden by cloud. |
| Battersea heliport, which serves central London, is two and a half miles from the scene of the crash. | Battersea heliport, which serves central London, is two and a half miles from the scene of the crash. |
| Helicopters are generally only permitted to fly on strict routes over central London, in controlled airspace up to 800 metres (2,500ft). Flights within the London control zone must get air traffic control clearance and comply with instructions from controllers. | Helicopters are generally only permitted to fly on strict routes over central London, in controlled airspace up to 800 metres (2,500ft). Flights within the London control zone must get air traffic control clearance and comply with instructions from controllers. |
| The pilot of the Agusta 109 that crashed had been in contact with air traffic controllers from Nats as it entered the control zone, but Nats would not divulge what guidance he had received. The controllers for the zone are primarily concerned with maintaining the flight paths from Heathrow. Pilots can request additional guidance beyond simple authorisation. | The pilot of the Agusta 109 that crashed had been in contact with air traffic controllers from Nats as it entered the control zone, but Nats would not divulge what guidance he had received. The controllers for the zone are primarily concerned with maintaining the flight paths from Heathrow. Pilots can request additional guidance beyond simple authorisation. |
| Nats said: "Earlier in the helicopter's journey, the pilot had been receiving an air traffic control service from Nats, although [he] was not receiving a service at the time of the crash." | Nats said: "Earlier in the helicopter's journey, the pilot had been receiving an air traffic control service from Nats, although [he] was not receiving a service at the time of the crash." |
| One pilot, Gary Slater, told the BBC: "It is a very controlled area, probably one of the safest in the world in my opinion." | One pilot, Gary Slater, told the BBC: "It is a very controlled area, probably one of the safest in the world in my opinion." |
| In certain restricted zones, including the City of London and around Hyde Park, only police and emergency services craft are routinely allowed to fly, although others – particularly broadcast helicopters – can obtain permission. The Vauxhall site appears to be on the borders of this zone. | In certain restricted zones, including the City of London and around Hyde Park, only police and emergency services craft are routinely allowed to fly, although others – particularly broadcast helicopters – can obtain permission. The Vauxhall site appears to be on the borders of this zone. |
| The CAA rules say the onus is on pilots to navigate by sight around builtup areas and to be sure of visibility. Witness reports from experienced pilots suggest that visibility around The Tower, which is still under construction, was only about 200 metres, with the summit and the crane shrouded in cloud. | The CAA rules say the onus is on pilots to navigate by sight around builtup areas and to be sure of visibility. Witness reports from experienced pilots suggest that visibility around The Tower, which is still under construction, was only about 200 metres, with the summit and the crane shrouded in cloud. |
| The CAA says helicopter routes have been selected to provide maximum safety by avoiding builtup areas as much as possible. | The CAA says helicopter routes have been selected to provide maximum safety by avoiding builtup areas as much as possible. |
| All helicopters flying within the London control zone are subject to minimum visibility rules. To minimise noise nuisance, pilots are told to fly as high as their air traffic control clearance and prevailing cloud conditions allow. Pilots are told to fly precise routes and avoid "corner cutting". | All helicopters flying within the London control zone are subject to minimum visibility rules. To minimise noise nuisance, pilots are told to fly as high as their air traffic control clearance and prevailing cloud conditions allow. Pilots are told to fly precise routes and avoid "corner cutting". |
| Above all, normal rules of the air mean pilots should not fly "closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle or structure". | Above all, normal rules of the air mean pilots should not fly "closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle or structure". |
| However, multi-engine helicopters are given more scope to fly away from the designated helicopter routes with air traffic control clearance. The Agusta 109 is a twin-engine helicopter. | However, multi-engine helicopters are given more scope to fly away from the designated helicopter routes with air traffic control clearance. The Agusta 109 is a twin-engine helicopter. |
| A notice to airmen was reissued on 7 January warning of the 770ft crane erected in Vauxhall, lit at night, as an obstacle on the City routes and the approach to Battersea heliport. | A notice to airmen was reissued on 7 January warning of the 770ft crane erected in Vauxhall, lit at night, as an obstacle on the City routes and the approach to Battersea heliport. |
| The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is likely to take several months compiling an official report on the incident, although an interim report may be released soon. | The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is likely to take several months compiling an official report on the incident, although an interim report may be released soon. |
| The AAIB only records one previous incident involving a helicopter in central London when a metal sign hit the rotor blades of an emergency aircraft attempting to land in Southwark. No one was hurt. | The AAIB only records one previous incident involving a helicopter in central London when a metal sign hit the rotor blades of an emergency aircraft attempting to land in Southwark. No one was hurt. |
| Early speculation overthe accident focused on whether the crane would have been visible to the pilot, who would not necessarily known of the obstacle because his initial flight plan was adjusted and he was diverted from a landing at Elstree. | Early speculation overthe accident focused on whether the crane would have been visible to the pilot, who would not necessarily known of the obstacle because his initial flight plan was adjusted and he was diverted from a landing at Elstree. |
| Any structure over 45m on a flight path has to be fitted with a warning light that has sensors which makes it illuminate automatically in fog or darkness. Manufacturers said they should be easily visible through fog. | Any structure over 45m on a flight path has to be fitted with a warning light that has sensors which makes it illuminate automatically in fog or darkness. Manufacturers said they should be easily visible through fog. |
| However, David Learmount, operations and safety editor of Flight International magazine, said that even such lights could be difficult to see in foggy conditions. | However, David Learmount, operations and safety editor of Flight International magazine, said that even such lights could be difficult to see in foggy conditions. |
| He added that, despite calls from MPs, endorsed by prime minister David Cameron, to review regulations for helicopters flying over London, he did not expect changes. "You can't just fly a helicopter willy-nilly over London. The regulations are extremely tight. With the exception of banning helicopters altogether from flying over London, I don't see what else can be done," he said. | He added that, despite calls from MPs, endorsed by prime minister David Cameron, to review regulations for helicopters flying over London, he did not expect changes. "You can't just fly a helicopter willy-nilly over London. The regulations are extremely tight. With the exception of banning helicopters altogether from flying over London, I don't see what else can be done," he said. |
| "Helicopters have been buzzing around London for years and this is the first time I remember one crashing." | "Helicopters have been buzzing around London for years and this is the first time I remember one crashing." |
| The last fatal accident in the UK involving the Agusta 109 occurred in poor visibility in Northern Ireland in October 2010, killing two friends of Prince Charles. | The last fatal accident in the UK involving the Agusta 109 occurred in poor visibility in Northern Ireland in October 2010, killing two friends of Prince Charles. |
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