Pilot had 'problem' before crash

The Air Accident Investigation branch is continuing to investigate

A pilot reported having "a problem" seconds before his helicopter crashed, an investigation has revealed.

Pilot Max Radford, 34, and his passenger, oil company lawyer Stephen Curtis, 45, died in the crash near Bournemouth Airport on 3 March.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch is carrying out an inquiry to find out why the Augusta 109 helicopter crashed.

Its preliminary report states that "the pilot indicated he was in difficulty for the final 29 seconds of flight".

However, Mr Radford did not identify what the problem was during the radio transmission.

The helicopter, on lease to Red Aviation, had left Battersea heliport in London on the way back from a routine trip when it crashed at 1940 GMT.

No buildings were damaged but debris was scattered over a large area.

The AAIB is continuing its investigation and it is likely to take months until the full report into the crash can be released.