Inquest takes place following fatal helicopter crash in North Yorkshire
The 66 year old pilot and 16 year old passenger were killed
Last updated 18th Nov 2024
An inquest has been taking place into the death of two people who died when a helicopter crashed in North Yorkshire.
The incident happened shortly before midday on the 20th of June 2022 in a field off Bentham Road near Burton in Lonsdale.
An inquest heard how the helicopter crashed into a hawthorn tree before catching on fire and falling to the ground.
The pilot - 66 year old Ian Macdonald and his 16 year old passenger Admarsu Birhan were killed.
The coroner heard how Mr Macdonald was an experienced pilot who had completed more than 500 hours of flying.
Medical expert Doctor Hoggard told the inquest jury that Mr Macdonald had underlying heart disease but it was impossible to say whether he had a medical episode before the crash.
It was his opinion that it was more likely that he died as a result of injuries resulted from the crash and the subsequent fire.
He told the inquest that Admarsu died of a blunt head injury sustained in the crash.
It's understood the German teenager was living locally after taking part in a farming exchange programme.