Queen's Former Pilot Fatally Injured When The Aircraft Impacted Terrain, Burst Into Flames

An inquest hearing testimony into a helicopter accident which occurred in May of last year was told that Lord Lieutenant Barry Dodd, a millionaire who at one time had been a pilot for the Queen of England, was flying in "very challenging conditions" last May 30th when his aircraft spun out of control and impacted terrain. A post-impact fire ensued.

The U.K. newspaper The Express reports that witnesses saw the aircraft which was being flown by the 70-year-old pilot fly into low-level clouds before spinning into the ground.

The accident occurred as Dodd was taking the aircraft for routine maintenance scheduled for the following day.

Air accident investigator Inspector Robert Clemence, said flying in low level cloud "is a very disorientating experience. Mr Dodd would have practised this in training but in training you are mentally prepared," he said.

Dodd was described by his business partner Richard Manage as a "very cautious" pilot. "He was meticulous with pre-flight checks," Manage said.

FMI: Source report