Investigation Launched Into Helicopter Accident After Death Of Sailor

A probe has been launched into the cause of the accident which killed a Royal Navy sailor after a helicopter was forced to ditch into the English Channel during a night-flying training exercise.

News of the accident broke yesterday (Thursday) afternoon after a Merlin Mk4 which had taken off from HMS Queen Elizabeth was forced to ditch into the sea the previous evening. Two members of its three-person crew were rescued and taken to hospital; the other perished. Their body has been recovered and the family informed; they have not been named. 

In a statement, the Royal Navy said: “It is with great sadness that we must report a member of the Royal Navy has died following a training incident last night.

“Our thoughts are with the family – who have been informed – and all those affected at this sad time. A full investigation will take place.

“The incident involved a Merlin Mk4 helicopter in the English Channel near Dorset that ditched while conducting night-flying exercises with HMS Queen Elizabeth. There were no other fatalities or serious injuries.”

First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key, said he was “intensely saddened by the tragic loss,” while Defence Secretary John Healey described the news as “dreadful”.

Rear Admiral Fleet Air Arm Anthony Rimington confirmed the personnel involved were part of the Commando Helicopter Force. On LinkedIn he posted: "I join the First Sea Lord in offering my thoughts and prayers to the family, to the crew of the aircraft, the Junglies and the whole Yeovilton community — as well as the ship’s company of HMS Queen Elizabeth. This loss is deeply felt by the entire Fleet Air Arm family."

The Merlin Mk4 can fly at a speed of 160 knots and has a range of 750 nautical miles. It has a generally good safety record — the last recorded accident involving the helicopter was in Afghanistan in 2010 when an RAF aircraft had a heavy landing.

It is considered the “world’s most advanced amphibious battlefield helicopter” and can carry up to 24 troops, according to the Royal Navy. The Mk2 is chiefly used for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and can also be deployed in Search And Rescue (SAR) operations. The Mk4 is a modified version used by the Royal Marines.