Glasgow helicopter crash: RAF veteran died trying to prevent a greater disaster

Glasgow helicopter crash: RAF veteran died trying to prevent a greater disaster
HERO pilot Captain Dave Traill has been praised for trying to bring the stricken helicopter down in a “controlled” crash.
Express UK
Tom Martin
December 2, 2013

The former RAF flight lieutenant died trying to prevent an greater disaster, aviation experts believe.

The rotor blades were not turning – suggesting a catastrophic engine failure – and Cpt Traill seemed to be attempting an emergency landing on the flat roof of Clutha Vaults pub.

Struan Johnston, director of Caledonian Aviation, said: “The pilot would have done everything to try to land the aircraft safely. He nearly pulled it off.”

Cpt Traill, who worked for Bond Air Services, was a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan and had served in both Gulf Wars. He lived in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, with his girlfriend Lucy. His cousin, Toni Lawson, said: “It’s very upsetting, but if his actions saved the lives of others we are very proud of him.”

Police Scotland confirmed the identities of the officers who died as PC Kirsty Nelis and PC Tony Collins, of the Operational Support Division.
read more here