AN RAF helicopter pilot was attempting a manoeuvre that was beyond his capabilities when the aircraft crashed, killing three military personnel, a coroner has ruled.
Coroner Geoff Fell said the crash, near Catterick, North Yorkshire, in August 2007, happened against a background of "deteriorating administration, airmanship and discipline".
Mr Fell recorded a narrative verdict today, at the conclusion of the three-week inquest into the deaths of Flight Lieutenant David Sale, from Norton, near Stockton, crewman Sergeant Phillip Burfoot and Private Sean Tait, of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The three men died when the Puma helicopter came down in a field at Hudswell Grange, near Catterick Garrison, on August 8, 2007.
* Read a full report on the inquest verdict and backround to the incident in The Northern Echo tomorrow
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