The father of a pilot who
died when a USAF helicopter crashed after being hit by a flock of
geese, said it was "very comforting" to know the accident was "not down
to pilot error".
Rick Stover's son, Capt
Christopher Stover, died with Capt Sean Ruane, Tech Sgt Dale Mathews and
Staff Sgt Afton Ponce near Cley, Norfolk, in January.
An investigation confirmed the crash was caused by "multiple bird strikes".
Norfolk Wildlife Trust said it wanted to extend a low-flying ban in the area.
The USAF personnel were
on a training mission in an HH-60G Pave Hawk, part of 48th Fighter Wing
based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.
Their helicopter was flying at 110ft (33m) above ground level at a speed of about 110 knots (126mph) just before the crash.
The Air Accident
Investigation Branch report into the accident concluded: "A flock of
geese took flight from Cley Marshes, likely startled by the noise of the
approaching helicopters, and struck the (helicopter).
"At least three geese penetrated the windscreen."
The impact "rendered" three crew members unconscious, it said.
The report confirmed the pilot had "followed the available guidance on bird hazards in the UK".
Mr. Stover said: "As parents of a flyer, you're always fearful when a plane goes down.
"You hear a lot of these pilot error issues...as parents of a
pilot you're always thinking did his actions cause this to happen, and
then they lose the entire crew because of his actions or lack of
actions.
"The report definitely shows that it wasn't a pilot issue, it wasn't pilot error," he said.
"That part is very comforting, knowing that was the case."
There is a ban on low-flying aircraft over the Cley nature reserve between April and September but not the rest of the year.
Head of nature reserves
at Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Kevin Hart said: "Low-flying aircraft cause a
disturbance to wildlife and although there is a restriction on low
flying enforced for the bird breeding period, there is currently no
restriction through the autumn and winter period.
"Norfolk Wildlife Trust
will continue to seek a year-round restriction on any low-flying
aircraft, to minimize the disturbance to wildlife at Cley Marshes."
Full Story and Photos: http://www.bbc.com
Report: http://www.usafe.af.mil
HH-60G,TAIL NUMBER 88-26109
56TH RESCUE SQUADRON
48TH FIGHTER WING
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH
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