The pilots who were flying a helicopter involved in the death of a woman at a hospital in Devon were “highly experienced” and “highly skilled”, an inquest has heard.
Jean Langan, 87, died from her injuries after being “blown over” by a rapid change in air – also known as downwash – from a search and rescue helicopter landing at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth on 4 March 2022.
The inquest at Exeter Coroner’s Court heard the helipad had been operating for seven years with 2,500 landings – 140 involving search and rescue helicopters – before her death.
The pilots involved in the crash had both served in the Royal Navy and altogether had 12,000 hours of flying experience, the hearing heard.
The inquest previously heard Mrs Langan died from head injuries after falling backwards due to the downwash.
Air Accident Investigation Branch investigator Richard James told the jury it was unlikely the pilots – who he described as “highly experienced” and “highly skilled” – would have seen her being blown over.
Large helicopters were banned from landing at Derriford’s helipad after her death, he added.
On Monday he told the inquest the communication between helicopter operators and the hospital was not effective.
He said this was not just an issue at Derriford Hospital, but nationally, and plans to improve communications were under way.
The inquest continues.
