Carl Alan Dickerson and 3 others · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 14 March 2014 I commenced an investigation into the deaths of:
Carl Alan Dickerson, Age: 36 years The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 15 January 2016. The conclusion of the inquest was medical cause of death: 1a) Head and Chest injuries and short-form conclusion: Accidental Death.

Edward Enda Haughey – Lord Ballyedmond, Age: 70 years, The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 15 January 2016. The conclusion of the inquest was medical cause of death: 1a) Head injuries and short-form conclusion: Accidental Death.

Lee Christopher Hoyle, Age: 45 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 15 January 2016. The conclusion of the inquest was medical cause of death: 1a) Head and Chest injuries and short-form conclusion: Accidental Death.

Declan Joseph Small, Age: 42 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 15 January 2016. The conclusion of the inquest was medical cause of death: 1a) Head and Chest injuries and short-form conclusion: Accidental Death.

On 13 March 2014 all four men were on board an Augusta Westland AW139 helicopter, G-LBAL. It was dark and foggy. Shortly after take-off the helicopter impacted with the ground near Gillingham, Norfolk. All four men died as a result of their injuries.

(1) On the 13 March 2013 at the time of take-off, it was dark and there was fog. Visibility was therefore limited. There are Regulations in place which would have prevented a take-off in these conditions had this been a departure from a licensed aerodrome and had this been a commercial venture.

(2) Because this was a departure from a non-commercial venture and take-off was from an unlicensed aerodrome, the Regulations do not apply.
(3) It is understood there was an accident in the 1990s in similar circumstances and operating under private category rules, as a result of which the Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) published a report and noted that "The flight used a navigation approach procedure that would not meet the standards required by the UK Authorities for public transport operations. However, this was not illegal because the flight was operated under private category rules".
(4) The AAIU made recommendations including that “The UK CAA should consider the establishment of a special category for the operation of corporate aviation”. It is understood this recommendation was accepted but no special category was established. Guidance was provided but not regulation.
(5) New European aviation legislation affecting the non-commercial operation of aircraft will come into effect in the UK from 25 August 2016 which will introduce new regulations for the management and operation of this type of aircraft.
(6) It is understood the CAA has decided a broader and deeper review of Instrument Flight Rules suite controlled airspace in general is necessary and that a project plan is being developed to address the issues, develop recommendations and suggested courses of action. There is liaison with the European Aviation Safety Agency “in taking forward any such changes”.
(7) It is of concern that despite the previous accident in the 1990s and this accident, a departure from a non-commercial venture and an unlicensed aerodrome is not covered by the equivalent regulation as a departure from commercial and licensed premises.