Gyrocopter pilot steers clear of school in fatal crash

A PILOT avoided potential disaster by steering his gyrocopter away from a nursery school.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Apr 2011, 07:00 BST

Thirty nine youngsters were at The Griffin School, north of Salisbury, Wiltshire, when the low-flying aircraft came over.

The unnamed pilot was killed instantly as the small helicopter burst into flames after passing low over the school roof and crashing into a nearby field.

The children were aged between two and four.

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Headteacher Christine Hind, 57, said “We didn’t actually see the crash.”

“The gyrocopter went over the top of the school very low. We didn’t realise it was in any difficulty.

“Some of the staff and children commented at the noise although they couldn’t see it.”

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch sent an investigator to the scene