Five British tourists were killed in a helicopter crash that caused their helicopter to burst into pieces seconds after hitting the Grand Canyon. The aircraft would have survived, however, an official has determined.
Jonathan Udall, 31 and Ellie Udall, 29 were killed along with Rebecca Dobson (26), her boyfriend Stuart Hill (29), and Jason Hill (31), when their Airbus EC130 B4 collided near the Colorado River, Arizona.
While Stuart was on holiday, the group went to Las Vegas to celebrate his 30th birthday. Mr. Udall and his wife were also travelling.
The initial impact was fatal for all five of the victims. However, the helicopter set itself ablaze ‘within seconds’. It wasn’t required to have a Crash Resistant Fuel System. This fuel slows down or reduces the possibility of an accident-related fire.
Jennifer Dorricott (39) a lawyer, is a sixth friend. She survived, but was left with life-changing injuries.
Pilot Scott Booth of Papillon was also alive, although he had to have a double-leg amputation due to catastrophic injuries.
Penelope Schofield, West Sussex’s Senior Coroner, wrote Monday’s prevention of future death report. She stated that the deaths could be prevented and cited concerns about’still aircraft in UK’ which pose a risk to the public.
Ellie Milward (pictured left at their wedding) and Jonathan Udall (pictured right at their wedding) were killed in a helicopter accident that claimed the lives of their close friends Becky Dobson (left) and Stuart Hill (right). The crash occurred in Grand Canyon, Arizona in 2018.
Ellie Udall (both pictured), and Mr Udall, both of whom were married to him, died from their injuries at the University Medical Centre Hospital Las Vegas a fortnight later.
Ms Dobson her boyfriend Mr Hill (both pictured above) who lost their lives after a strong tailwind knocked the Airbus EC130 B4 out of control, causing it to crash
Victim Jason Hill, 32, was a solicitor at Shoosmiths Solicitors and was about to become a partner
The inquest concluded that the helicopter crashed at 5.19pm after it was carrying the group to the Grand Canyon.
An investigation carried out by the National Transportation Safety Board found the probable cause was ‘a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, the pilot’s subsequent loss of helicopter control, and collision with terrain during an approach to land in gusting tail wind conditions in an area of potential downdrafts and turbulence’.
Jason, Stuart, Rebecca and Jason all died in the fire that ensued. Jonathan and Ellie both died two weeks later from their injuries at University Medical Centre Las Vegas.
The crash did not cause any injuries to the victims, and there was no medical evidence suggesting that the victims would have survived if the fire had not started.
Papillon did not require that the helicopters be fitted with fire-resistant fuel, however the company retrofitted them with tanks that expand upon impact and prevent the aircraft from bursting.
Ms Schofield stated that the terrain type played a role in the fuel tank penetration and whether it would have had a comparable impact on a CRFS if this had been installed.
She highlighted eight issues in her report that she believes need to be addressed in order for similar deaths not to happen in the future.
The coroner stated that the UK’s current regulations regarding small and large helicopters are not suitable for their purpose, as they don’t need retrofit to any of the previously-certified rotorcraft.
The survivor, lower right, walks away from the accident site in Arizona’s Grand Canyon.
Pilot Scott Booth fractured his lower left leg, and passenger Jennifer Barham had a spinal fracture. The pilot Scott Booth sustained severe burns to his lower left leg, while passenger Jennifer Barham suffered a spinal fracture. Both survived.
Jane Dobson, Becky’s mother said that Becky was missed so very much. Becky: You were an extraordinary sister, daughter, and incredible auntie.
Sandra Hill, the mother of both sons (pictured below), who later died said, ‘We are every parent’s nightmare. We cease to be a dad and mom, and we have no one to care for. With Jason and Stuart, we were blessed.
There is also ‘no mandatory requirement for the CRFS to be fitted on aircraft’.
According to the coroner, flying helicopters without CRFS ‘adds substantial risk in the event that a collision occurs’ if the fuel tank is damaged.
Ms Schofield said that there is a risk of an accident resulting in a fire, and the potential for loss of life.
Despite all the risks associated with flying on these aircrafts, the public ‘doesn’t appear to have any information to help them determine if they are equipped with CRFS.
British airspace is still home to aircraft that are not fuel resistant, which poses a high risk for passengers and the public.
She stated that a serious consideration should be made about whether an ‘airworthiness directive’ should have been issued to ‘prevent further tragedies.
Papillon installed new satellite phones that had better coverage and trauma kits in canyon containers.
A wind sock has been added to the area of the accident. Airbus, the helicopter manufacturer, has updated safety information for pilots.
Inquest participants heard from the family members as they read tributes to crash victims.
Jane Dobson was Becky Dobson’s mother. Jane said, “Our Becky. We miss you so much. Your sister, Becky, was an extraordinary daughter and auntie. Many of your friends loved every aspect about you.
“Your radiant smile is a light source of joy in any room. We would laugh at your charming, funny jokes. Becky, although our lives are never the same again, will be forever in our hearts.
Sandra Hill was the mother to both of their sons. With Jason and Stuart, we were blessed. Their energy was high from the very beginning and they didn’t stop for a second.
“What does it look like? We still hope they will turn up, even though it’s been nearly four years. It’s still hard for me to walk into a store that sells cards with “son” printed on them.
“I’ve not been able put up a Christmas tree ever since my parents’ deaths.”
Father of the brothers Reverend David Hill quoted from Fast and Furious in his tribute to the brothers. It explained their connection.
He stated, “No matter how far you travel, no matter where you live, I’ll always have you with me. I’ll be there for you always, my brother.
Sarah Stuart spoke on behalf of Ellie Milward’s parents Terry and Maggie Milward. She said: “The loss to our loved ones cannot be described in words.”
Father of the twin brothers Reverend David Hill (pictured below), quoted from Fast and Furious to describe the relationship between the brothers.
Marlene and Philip Udall said in a statement that John was only 31 at the time of tragedy.
“We were celebrating the wedding recently, which was truly a momentous occasion. In 2018, the world collapsed around us. Our son died.
Jonathan was an incredibly kind and compassionate person. We are proud to have known him as a young man. He was a young man that we cherish the fond memories of. We won’t ever again be able to touch his face, hug or hear him laugh. Johnathan’s 31 years was just not enough.
“Our only consolation is that they all died together”: A tearful vicar remembers his two ‘incredibly close’ children who were killed in Grand Canyon accident and says, “a light has really gone out.”
In the Grand Canyon, a helicopter accident claimed the lives of Jason and Stuart Hill.
Two brothers were killed in a Grand Canyon helicopter accident. Their vicar father, the vicar of Grand Canyon, has paid tribute.
Stuart, 30 and Jason, 32 were ‘inseparable,’ their father declared
Reverend David Hill described Stuart (30), and Jason (32) as “inseparable”.
For over a decade, the couple had planned to travel with a small group of close friends.
The Worthing, West Sussex Chaplain Mr Hill stated that: “The boys had been saving over a decade for this trip, and they really looked forward to it.
“They had flown in with a bunch of friends to celebrate Stuart’s Birthday and they were all able to go on a helicopter tour around the Grand Canyon.
“We discovered the news about the crash on Sunday and Sandra, their mother, and I were truly shocked.
The boys were almost identical. Their births were 22 months apart. They were inseparable.
We were proud to have been able to see that both Jason and Stuart had worked as solicitors.
“We have been blessed with our boys for thirty years. It is so hard to believe.