Tributes to helicopter crash dead

A board of inquiry will investigate the cause of the crash

The colleagues of a pilot and crewman killed when their RAF Puma helicopter crashed in North Yorkshire have paid tribute to the two men.

Pilot Flt Lt David Oxer Hanson Sale, 28, and crewman Sgt Phillip Anthony Burfoot, 27, were killed in the crash on Catterick Garrison army base.

Both men were from 33 Squadron, based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.

Mr Sale was described as a "model officer" while Welshman Mr Burfoot was "utterly dependable", colleagues said.

Ten others were injured in the crash, which happened on land to the west of the garrison base on Wednesday night.

'Good humour'

A board of inquiry will now investigate the cause of the accident.

Colleagues at RAF Benson said Mr Sale's "cheerful manner and dry wit" had made him "a welcome presence on the ground and in the air".

Dave was the life and soul of the party and will be sorely missed by all Victim's colleagues

He had been with the squadron since April 2006.

In a statement they said: "Dave was a model officer and professional pilot, immersing himself in squadron life in all respects.

"He was a man who could be relied on to do a job both effectively and in good humour.

"A good friend to many, not only in the Royal Air Force but also amongst those who knew him from his time at university, Dave was the life and soul of the party and will be sorely missed by all."

'Huge potential'

Sgt Phil "Taff" Burfoot, 27, described as a "fiercely proud Welshman", joined the squadron in April 2007. His parents live in Penylan, Cardiff.

Colleagues said he was a "highly capable aviator" whose love of life was infectious.

He enjoyed watching rugby and was an accomplished player in his own right, they said.

A statement said: "Phil was an utterly dependable and highly professional senior non-commissioned officer, completing any task with a ready smile.

"He showed huge potential in his fledgling career as a crewman and will be sorely missed by all his friends and colleagues throughout the Royal Air Force."

Group Captain Paul Lyall, station commander at RAF Benson, thanked the emergency crews and service personnel who helped at the crash scene.

He said: "Words cannot adequately express our grief at their loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with the families and loved ones at this time."

The RAF was not speculating on the cause of the crash, but eyewitnesses reported the aircraft "misfiring" before turning on its side and dropping "like a sack of potatoes".