Hearing Taking Place at Preston Coroner's Court

The inquest into the deaths of two men who died following a helicopter crash in September 2009 is set to take place at Preston Coroner’s Court on March 24th and 25th.

Pilot Steven Lewis and his flying student Philip Gray were killed when the two-seater Schweizer 269 helicopter they were travelling in from Blackpool Airport came down after the aircraft’s engine apparently lost power.

Aviation specialists at leading national law firm Irwin Mitchell are representing the family of Mr Lewis, an experienced pilot from Rainhill who was 38 at the time of the incident, at the inquest.

The manufacturer of the aircraft has also been invited to give evidence in relation to the incident but it is not yet known if they have accepted that invitation.

Keith Barrett, who is acting on behalf of Mr Lewis’s family, said: “We are hoping, for the sake of Steven’s loved ones, that vital answers are provided into the cause of the accident which will ensure that no one else is hurt in a similar manner.

“A particular area that we are interested in is whether the engine of the aircraft had been properly maintained and whether, if not, the issues may be related to inadequate instructions in guidance which has been published for it.

“Ultimately, we hope that lessons can be learnt that will go some way towards preventing future incidents of this kind.”

Note to Editors:

Mr Lewis’s mother Pam, his father Ray and brother Adrian will be attending the inquest, but any requests for interview should be made via their lawyer, Keith Barrett, or through the Irwin Mitchell Press Office.