Summary of the video Blinded by Fog The London Helicopter Crash 2013 | Plainly Difficult | Short Disaster Documentary

Speakers: John (Narrator)

Important Points and Facts:

  1. On January 16th, 2013, a helicopter crashed into a construction crane in London due to poor visibility caused by morning mist.
  2. The crash site was near Vauxhall Bridge and Vauxhall Station, close to the MI6 headquarters.
  3. The construction site was for the St George’s Warf tower, which was intended to be 181 meters tall.
  4. The crane was lit at night with red lights, as required by air navigation orders.
  5. The pilot, Peter Barnes, was highly experienced and had flown for many high-profile clients.
  6. On the day of the crash, Barnes was unable to land at his intended destination due to low clouds and decided to return to Red Hill.
  7. The pilot received a text from a client indicating that the London heliport was open, and he decided to try to land there.
  8. The helicopter collided with the crane, causing the main rotor blade to separate from the main rotor head.
  9. The crash resulted in the death of the pilot and a pedestrian, and injured 12 others.
  10. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch concluded that the crash was due to the pilot’s failure to see the crane due to poor visibility.

Actionable Items:

  1. Pilots should be more cautious when flying in poor visibility conditions and should not feel compelled to complete a task once started if conditions are unsafe.
  2. Construction sites with tall structures should ensure they are properly lit and visible to pilots.
  3. More stringent regulations may be needed for helicopter flights in busy urban areas.

Sentiment of the Video: The video provides a factual and detailed account of the 2013 London helicopter crash. The tone is somber and reflective, acknowledging the tragic loss of life and the potential risks of aviation in urban environments.

Blinded by Fog The London Helicopter Crash 2013 | Plainly Difficult | Short Disaster Documentary