Royal Navy pilots reportedly raised repeated concerns about excessive workloads, rushed training, and unreliable helicopters before a fatal Merlin helicopter crash that claimed the lives of three crew members earlier this month.
Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson, 42, Flight Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, and Petty Officer Owen Green, 24, were killed when their Merlin Mk4 helicopter, callsign “Sword 01,” crashed during a training flight in Somerset on June 3.
According to reports, instructors had urged senior officials to allow more time for student training, warning that crews were being pushed to meet strict course deadlines despite operational pressures.
A whistleblower from the Royal Navy Air Station alleged that pilots were overworked, fatigued, and increasingly concerned that safety was being compromised
The source also claimed that ageing Merlin helicopters regularly experienced engineering and technical problems, forcing the cancellation of training flights and creating pressure to complete sorties within limited timeframes. They further alleged that students were being rushed through training while instructors worked beyond their scheduled hours to keep programmes on track.
The fatal accident marked the second deadly incident involving the same Royal Navy training unit in less than three years, following the death of helicopter pilot Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon during a training flight in 2024.
An initial investigation by the Defence Accident Investigation Branch reportedly found no evidence of a mechanical failure, based on preliminary analysis of the helicopter’s flight data recorder. However, a full Service Inquiry has been launched to determine the exact cause of the crash, a process expected to take several months.
Following the accident, Royal Navy commanders held engineering and aircrew forums to discuss safety concerns and announced immediate procedural changes aimed at improving operations and supporting personnel.
In a statement, the UK Ministry of Defence said its thoughts remain with the families, friends, and colleagues of the three victims.
