Tributes paid to helicopter pilot among four men killed in mid-air collision with plane
A helicopter pilot who was among four people killed in a mid-air collision with a plane had a “distinguished career”, during which he helped and mentored many pilots, his colleagues have said.
Colleagues at Helicopter Services confirmed that Captain Mike Green was involved in the collision near Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire on Friday.
Investigations by police and the Air Accident Investigation Branch are continuing into the cause of the crash, which left four people dead.
Thames Valley Police have not confirmed the identities of the victims, saying on Saturday that formal identification by the coroner had not taken place, but said all four men’s families had been informed.
Superintendent Rebecca Mears said three of the families had visited the scene at the Waddesdon Estate, the former country seat of the Rothschild banking dynasty, on Saturday supported by specialist family liaison officers.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page Helicopter Services, where Capt Green was a senior instructor, said: “We are devastated to confirm that Captain Mike Green was involved in the mid-air collision which occurred yesterday.
“Mike was conducting a flight instructor course and was with a student at the time of the incident. Both pilots lost their lives.”
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It went on: “We have received many messages of support and kind words about our friend who, as a senior instructor and examiner, helped and mentored so many pilots throughout the industry during his distinguished career.
“It was an honour to work with you. Captain Green, you will be greatly missed.”
Captain Phil Croucher, head of training at the Caledonian Advanced Pilot Training Ground School, knew Mr Green for around 20 years after they served in the Army together.
He said said he believed the crash was an accident and no negligence was involved, telling the Press Association: “It’s a sad loss. We have lost somebody with a vast amount of experience that could have been passed on to younger people, apart from him being a nice guy generally.
“He’s gone through no fault of his own and everyone’s lost a good friend and mentor.”
Both aircraft carrying two passengers each are believed to have taken off from the Wycombe airstrip, also known as Booker Airfield, around 20 miles from where the crash happened at 12.06pm.
Mr Croucher said claims on a pilot forum by an air traffic controller who said he saw the aircraft disappear on radar suggested the two had collided accidentally.
He said there was “conjecture” that the helicopter had been flying a straight path and the aircraft was descending, leaving the pilot unable to see due to “blind spots” below and behind, adding: “From the available evidence, it’s as near to a proper accident as you are likely to see – no negligence, absolutely none. That airspace was free airspace.”
