THE inquest into the deaths of three men, killed when a helicopter crashed in North Yorkshire, has produced disturbing evidence which makes grim reading for the RAF.

Pilot David Sale and colleagues Phillip Burfoot and Sean Tait lost their lives when the Puma aircraft from RAF Benson plunged into a field near Catterick Garrison.

And, as the inquest has unfolded over the past three weeks, it has become increasingly clear that it was a tragedy which should have been avoided.

The inquest concluded yesterday that Flight Lieutenant Sale was attempting manouvres beyond his capabilities.

What defies belief is that these young men were allowed to take to the air in a £20m helicopter with glaring gaps in leadership from RAF chiefs.

As coroner Geoff Fell put it: “Against a background of deteriorating administration, airmanship and discipline, the helicopter crashed.”

With a Johnny Cash recording playing in the cockpit, and boasts of trying to scare a taxi driver, it was a flight which clearly got out of hand.

The fact that there were no ground rules for the crew to follow is a damning indictment of RAF commanders.

Accidents will always happen. But this was an accident that was easily preventable if the correct procedures had been established and followed.

Group Captain Jonathan Burr, Station Commander at RAF Benson, has pledged that lessons have been learnt and that an internal RAF investigation will continue.

We hope those responsible for the management failings which contributed to this appalling tragedy are brought to account.