Buckinghamshire air crash: First picture of helicopter pilot Mike Green killed in mid-air crash with plane

Captain Mike Green is reported to have died in Friday's crash
Helicopter services
Martin Coulter18 November 2017

One of the four people killed in a mid-air collision between a helicopter and a small aircraft on Friday has been named as Captain Mike Green.

He was an instructor with more than 30 years of experience, as well as being a member of the Helicopter Services team at Wycombe Air Field in Buckinghamshire.

His friend, Phil Croucher, told Sky News: "I have known him for 20 years. We were both in the Army...we worked together.

"He was an ultra nice chap, very professional, would go out of his way to help people get on in their careers. He will be fondly remembered by everyone who knew him.

An aerial shot of the crash
Sky News

"I used to see him, I popped in on Wednesday when I was passing and had a cup of tea. He was always there before anybody else. All of a sudden he's not there.

"He's gone through no fault of his own and everyone's lost a good friend and mentor."

Mr Croucher said claims on a pilot forum by an air traffic controller who said he saw the aircraft disappear on radar suggested the two had collided accidentally.

He referred to claims that the helicopter had been flying a straight path and the aircraft was descending, and the pilot would have been unable to see due to "blind spots" below and behind, although he added it was "conjecture".

"From the available evidence, it's as near to a proper accident as you are likely to see - no negligence, absolutely none,"

Police at the scene near Waddesdon, in Buckinghamshire
PA Wire/PA Images

Police say a total of four people died in the mid-air collision. Thames Valley Police Superintendent Rebecca Mears confirmed the death toll on Friday.

The crash is believed to have happened over woodland on Waddesdon estate, near to a historic manor house owned by the Rothschild family.

Buckingham MP and speaker of the House Commons, John Bercow, told the BBC: "I'm shocked by the news.

Buckingham MP John Bercow said he was "shocked by the news"
PA

"It's a very sad day for Buckinghamshire and, of course, it's a very sad day for the casualties of this awful crash and all of their family and loved ones.

"The sense of shock and outrage at what has happened will be very real and we applaud and appreciate the enormous efforts of the emergency services at a time like this."

Emergency services were called to Upper Winchendon, near Aylesbury, just after 12pm following reports of a crash between a helicopter and a Cessna 152 aircraft.

Police say they are likely to remain at the scene of the crash until at least Monday.

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