AN OUT-OF-CONTROL golf buggy – being driven by a toddler - caused thousands of pounds-worth of damage to a helicopter, an air accident report revealed this month.
The bizarre accident, at Abridge Golf Course, near Stapleford Airfield, in Essex, destroyed much of the tail rotor of the chopper - owned by Romford company MW Helicopters.
The buggy careered from the 19th hole and ploughed into back of the 1982 Ecureuil II helicopter just as it was about to take off, according an Air Accident Investigation Branch summary report.
The 48-year-old pilot had just confirmed the area was clear when he “noticed a golf cart on his right side that was travelling at some speed, clearly out-of-control.”
The youngster, who was travelling with an adult, accidentally pressed the cart’s accelerator, the report said of the incident in October last year.
“The cart passed behind the helicopter,” the report added, “sustaining damage to its roof when it passed through the tail rotor disc, and continued for approximately 40m before stopping.
“The pilot estimated that the cart had travelled 80m before hitting the tail rotor.”
The occupants of the cart were unhurt.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here