Police probe gyrocopter crash that killed pilot

Police are trying to piece together the final moments of a gyrocopter’s journey before it crashed in a field, killing the pilot.

A 67-year-old man died when the light aircraft came down in the Black Isle, Highlands, on Thursday.

The gyropcopter – operated by flight training school Highland Aviation – was being flown from Inverness when it crashed near Avoch, on the Moray Firth. Its pilot was pronounced dead at the scene and now police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Detective inspector Brian Geddes said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the man who sadly lost his life, and we will have officers providing support at this difficult time.

“Enquiries into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing. We have already spoken to a number of people who witnessed the crash, however, we are appealing to anyone we haven’t spoken to, to get in touch.

“I would also urge anyone who might also have images or video footage of the gyrocopter in the air or during the incident to please contact police either via 101, quoting incident number 1385 of November 12, or via the online portal set up for this incident.”

Highland Aviation said it was devastated by the pilot’s death.

It said in a statement: “We are all devastated by the loss of our friend, and our deepest sympathies goes out to the pilot’s family and friends.

“We are assisting local police and AAIB (the Air Accident Investigation Bureau) as they investigate this tragic loss.”