Glasgow crash pilot is hailed as a hero

Expert’s praise David Traill’s skill and say ten times as many could have died when the Police helicopter crashed on Friday night.

The pilot killed in the Glasgow helicopter tragedy was hailed a hero last night amid claims his actions saved dozens of lives.

Former RAF airman David Traill was at the controls of the chopper when it plunged into The Clutha pub late on Friday killing at least eight.

But experts said the horror crash could have had far more appalling consequences had it not been for his astonishing flying skills.

They believe at least 70 people would have been killed had he crash landed the twin-engine Euro-copter on one of the busy streets nearby.

Last night, family of the 51-year-old, who lived in Lochwinnoch and had served his country in Iraq and Afghanistan, heaped praise on him.

Cousins Toni, 25, and Heather Lawson, 48, who are mother and daughter, said they were distraught at David’s death.

They added he had “lived and breathed” for flying.

Toni, a shop worker from Falkirk, said: “It’s very upsetting that he’s gone but if his actions saved other’s lives we are very proud of him.

“He was a great guy and he and my mum were very close, especially when they were growing up.

“As long as I’ve been alive he’s been flying helicopters and it was a real passion for him.

“When he was in the RAF he did tours of Iraq and Afghanistan. You name the country and he was there.

“I think he got various medals for his bravery in the forces. He was a very experienced pilot. He has always been a real hero in the family.

“I joined the Air Cadets because of him and the last time I saw him he was doing an exhibition involving Chinook helicopters.

“It wasn’t just his military experience that made him a great man. His young brother Angus died three years ago from terminal throat cancer, which knocked David for six.

“Since then he’s helped raise his three young nephews. Their mum will have a hard time explaining to the boys what has happened to their uncle.

“They will be completely distraught about this.”

Mum Heather added she’ll miss her “lovely big cousin who was taken away far too soon”.

Last night, David’s partner was too upset to talk. But an aviation expert labelled his actions as being the “best of bad options”.

Struan Johnston, company director of Caledonian Aviation added: “What we know is from the eyewitness accounts that the aircraft landed on the roof almost vertically.

“From what we’ve seen earlier on, the rotorblades were not turning. If they were turning at all, they were turning very slowly which indicates some kind of catastrophic failure in the drive train or the engine system.

“The pilot would have done everything in his power to try and land the aircraft safely.

“Unfortunately, I think in this case he nearly pulled it off, but the weight of the aircraft just wouldn’t have been sustainable on the roof.”

He said it looked like it had been a “controlled” crash which could have caused 10 times the casualties if it had gone down elsewhere, including on the street.

Another expert, David Learmount, Flight Global’s operations and safety editor, also believed that a mechanical failure had been responsible.

He said: “I think what has happened here is that you have had an aircraft that became either uncontrollable or partially controllable.

“We just don’t know how much control the pilot did have in the final seconds of the flight.

“Something dramatic has probably suddenly occurred possibly some mechanical failure of some kind.”

He believed that there were indications that the pilot might have still had “some ability to fly” before the impact which limited the devastation.

Commercial helicopter pilot Jeremy James said inbuilt safety designs of the chopper had prevented it from blowing up in a “Hollywood-style explosion.”

He said: “There’s a rubber lining to the tank that stops it exploding.”

Bond Air Service, who operate the police helicopter unit, refused to confirm the identity of the dead pilot but said: “Our hearts go out to all those who have been touched by the events of Friday November 29.

“We would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the emergency services who continue to work tirelessly at the scene.

“The site has been contained and a full investigation by Police Scotland into the incident has begun under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

“The Air Accident Investigation Branch is also carrying out an investigation.

“Bond is working with Police Scotland, other emergency services and the Air Accident Investigation Branch as the investigations get underway.”

The Eurocopter EC135T2 is a very popular aircraft with police and aero-medical services and has a “very good” safety record.

The aircraft was first delivered in 2007 and has been operated by Strathclyde Police ever since.

The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch will now be looking to retrieve the flight data recorder from the downed helicopter as soon as possible for analysis.

Investigators will also look at remains of the helicopter at the site before removing the wreckage for further examination.