Royal Navy pilot, 31, was 'let down by people and systems beyond his control' after commander switched off working engines, inquiry finds

From the Newshound archive · first published 20 September 2026 · last updated 21 September 2026.

Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon, 31, died when his Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed into the English Channel on 4 September 2024. His commander had shut down two working engines without a second crew member first confirming the decision. A Defence Safety Authority inquiry found that the original fault — a split rubber component in one engine — produced warnings that gave no indication of which engine was affected, causing the crew to conclude, incorrectly, that both had failed. The rescue attempt then collapsed through a succession of additional failures: a second helicopter dispatched to the scene was carrying no winch, and a sensor fault on the carrier's main rescue boat crane prevented it from being launched.

Over 21 seconds Lt Leyshon stated three times that the aircraft was still flying on one engine — yet not one crew member formally disputed that assessment.

His mother Mary Scourfield said: 'It is heartbreaking to see that he was put into this situation.'

The inquiry produced more than 40 recommendations after concluding that a cascade of 'compounded errors' had left him 'let down by people and systems beyond his control.'