Copter crash probe

Investigation launched after incident leaves man injured

The unnamed casualty, believed to be the pilot, was taken by ambulance to Ninewells Hospital with a broken leg after the incident at Perth Airport around 10.30am yesterday.

One witness said the Robinson helicopter was having ground checks done near the Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) hangar when the incident occurred.

It is understood the chopper was on the ground and then went into a spin before toppling on to its side.

Jade Hampton, 20, who lives opposite the airport, said she had heard a “bang” and initially thought the bird scarer had gone off.

She added: “Looking at the wreckage, I’m amazed someone has only got a broken leg.”

Police Scotland said there was no danger to the public.

The airfield remained open throughout the incident.

Other agencies involved included paramedics from the air ambulance who were first on the scene, along with Scottish Ambulance Service personnel.

The airport’s own fire crew dealt with the aftermath, including clearing up leaking fuel.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was later asked to attend and firefighters were seen dousing the damaged aircraft with foam as a precaution.

Today, a spokesman for the UK Government’s Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) said a probe into the incident had started.

He said: “As with the majority of our investigations, this is being undertaken ‘by correspondence’ rather than as a field investigation.

“A correspondence investigation usually involves emails and calls with those involved and may involve some follow-up work, whereas a field investigation means inspectors have deployed to the accident scene.

“Every investigation is different but it’s usual for correspondence investigations to be published in three to six months.

The objective of the AAIB investigation is the prevention of future accidents and incidents.

AAIB reports are not used to assign fault or blame or determine liability.

The airfield, at New Scone a few miles north of Perth, is used for private and business flights.

AN investigation has been launched into a Tayside helicopter crash which left a man injured.

Fire crews, police and other personnel deal with the crash, which took place at Perth Airport.