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A tragic helicopter crash in a field near Bentley, Doncaster, has resulted in the death of a 70-year-old man and left three other people injured, prompting a major investigation. The incident occurred on Thursday morning, triggering a swift, joint probe by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and South Yorkshire Police to determine the full cause and circumstances.
Emergency services were called to Ings Lane, Bentley, at approximately 10:15 am on Thursday. The 70-year-old man, who was aboard the private flight, was tragically confirmed to have died at the scene despite initial reports that he was seriously injured. The three other individuals on the helicopter—the 41-year-old male pilot, a 58-year-old woman, and a 10-year-old boy—all sustained minor injuries in the crash.
Det Ch Insp Gary Magnay offered condolences, stating, "Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly died in this tragic incident." He confirmed that a full joint investigation is underway. Police are actively appealing for witnesses who may have seen the events unfold or have footage of the helicopter leading up to the crash.
The local community has been shaken by the event. Local MP for Doncaster North, Ed Miliband, described the news as "devastating" and offered his thoughts to the victim's family and friends. The helicopter is believed to have been on a private flight, having taken off from Retford Gamston airport shortly before 10:00 am. Flight path analysis shows the aircraft flying over Doncaster for about seven minutes before its abrupt stop near Bentley. Reports suggest the aircraft may belong to Kuki, a flight school operating out of Gamston, with the airport confirming the crashed aircraft belonged to an onsite tenant.
Witness accounts from the scene have been quick to praise the pilot's actions. Lee Needham, a local resident, suggested that the pilot "more than likely saved numerous lives," given the proximity of the crash site to houses, train tracks, industrial units, and electrical pylons. Other neighbours reported thinking the initial sound was a train crash and confirmed the helicopter narrowly avoided hitting residential properties. The crash site at Ings Lane, Bentley, remains closed while authorities conduct their painstaking investigation.
Context on UK Helicopter Safety and Ownership-Regarding the safety and ownership of helicopters in the UK, the following context is relevant:
Recent Helicopter Accidents: The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) Annual Safety Review for 2023 reported 10 investigations into fatal accidents across all of General Aviation (GA), resulting in 11 deaths, though none of the fatal accidents in 2023 involved a helicopter. In 2022, there was one fatal helicopter accident investigated by the AAIB, which was part of the nine total fatal accidents in GA that year, resulting in 11 deaths in total. The rate of accidents, particularly fatal ones, remains relatively low compared to overall flight activity.
Private Helicopter Fleet Size: Precise and current figures for the total number of privately registered helicopters in the UK are not immediately available from recent public reports, though the overall number of helicopters on the civil aircraft register is a significantly larger figure that includes commercial, training, and government-owned aircraft. The UK has a large number of aircraft overall, including general aviation, which includes private helicopters. For context on a specific type, the Robinson fleet alone (a popular private use helicopter) totaled 269 in Great Britain as of early 2022.
Accident Rate: While all accidents are tragic, the general aviation sector, which includes private helicopters, accounts for the vast majority of all fatal air accidents in the UK. Data suggests that General Aviation is the sector where most fatal accidents occur. However, overall statistics often show a relatively low accident rate per flight hour or sector. For example, for a popular type of private helicopter, the UK celebrated ten years without a fatal accident up to January 2022, indicating that safety is a major focus.
Second Hand Private Helicopter Costs: The price of a second-hand private helicopter in the UK can vary drastically based on its model, age, flight hours, and condition. Buyers can expect prices to range from approximately £77,500 to over £2,500,000 for common models. For example, smaller, popular used piston-engine helicopters like the Robinson R22 or R44 may sell for under £200,000 to over £350,000, while larger or turbine-powered models can reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of pounds.
Read Related News: Tribute to a Hero: Family Man and Aviation Enthusiast Peter Smith Named as Doncaster Crash Victim
