09/07/2014

Report Finds Helicopter Collided With Flock Of Geese

A report into a helicopter crash, which killed four people, has found that a flock of geese flew into the aircraft and caused the fatal crash.

Two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters were involved in a moonlit training mission near Cley in Norfolk, when one of the aircrafts crashed, killing Capt Christopher Stover, Capt Sean Ruane, Tech Sgt Dale Mathews and Staff Sgt Afton Ponce.

A report by the Accident Investigation Branch found that flock of geese had taken flight from Cley Marshes, likely startled by the approaching helicopters, and collided with one of the aircraft.

The report states that "at least three geese penetrated the windscreen" of the helicopter, rendering both the pilot and co-pilot unconscious.

It is claimed that three seconds after the bird strike the helicopter crashed.

It is not known what effect the report may have on the current guidance on bird hazards in the UK.

(MH/CD)

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