UK:Captain Died Because Helicopter Not Suited for Mission

British soldier died in helicopter crash in Afghanistan because aircraft was not suitable for the mission
Captain Ben Babington-Browne was killed in helicopter crash in Afghanistan
The aircraft lost visibility in a dustbowl then drifted into fence and crashed
Capt Babington-Browne was trapped when helicopter burst into flames
Inquest heard the aircraft was not the correct helicopter for the mission
Daily Mail
By COREY CHARLTON FOR MAILONLINE
26 August 2014

Captain Ben Babington-Browne was said to be a 'rising star' within the British army

A helicopter which crashed on take-off in Afghanistan, killing a British soldier and two Canadian troops, was not suitable for the mission, an inquest has heard.

Captain Ben Babington-Browne, 27, was a passenger on the Canadian Griffon CH-146, which was being used as a 'taxi' from forward operating base (FOB) Mescal.

The inquest was told that as the aircraft, carrying six people, tried to take off on July 6 2009, a dust bowl was whipped up by the rotor blades, cutting visibility.

At a height of less than 10ft, the helicopter then drifted and its rotors collided with a perimeter fence in a corner of the FOB before it crashed and burst into flames.

Capt Babington-Browne, from 22 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers, had been strapped in but seated on the floor of the aircraft on take-off, with his legs dangling out.

Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander William Robley, of the UK Defence Helicopter Flying School, told the inquest that Capt Babington-Browne, of Maidstone, Kent, became trapped.
read more here