Royal Navy crash victim was top helicopter instructor

THE ROYAL Navy pilot who died when his aircraft crashed into the English Channel was one of the fleet’s top Merlin helicopter instructors, sources revealed last night.

Highly-experienced Lt Rhodri Leyshon, 31, was leading a night flying exercise when the helicopter “dropped like stone” after at least two of its 6,500 horsepower engines failed.

"Rhod was the life and soul of the squadron, always ready to help and mentor junior pilots and navigators across the Commando Helicopter Force," said one colleague. "We can't quite believe he is gone."

Another Royal Navy source said: “The fact that he was the Fleet Air Arm’s top pilot at his age shows how exceptional he was.”

Leyshon’s aircraft and a second Merlin had both taken off from the supercarrier HMS Queen Elizabeth to take part in night time exercise to hone their night vision capabilities.

He was sitting in the right-hand seat of the two-man cockpit when, sources say, the helicopter experienced "sudden and catastrophic" failure.

Flying barely 100 feet above sea level, there was almost no time to take evasive action, though it is significant that Leyshon’s co-pilot and the third crew member, stationed in the back of the helicopter, managed to survive.

The helicopter was equipped with floatation aids which are released from the helicopter if it ditches in water. They are also forming part of the investigation.

Wednesday's crash may also heavily impact the carrier's ability to deploy.

This is because all Merlins have now been placed on restrictive flying duties until accident investigators determine the cause of the crash.

Because Mk4 Merlins are used for vital search and rescue missions, it means that none of the carrier's 24 F-35 stealth fighter jets will be able to fly when the carrier deploys next month, unless the investigation is concluded.

Lt Leyshon had been a Royal Navy helicopter aviator for ten years, having first joined the Wales University Royal Naval Unit in 2010 before being commissioned in November 2013.

He had successfully completed a number of overseas deployments, including to the Caribbean, USA and Norway,

In 2018, he revealed it had always been his dream to become a Commando Helicopter Force pilot, saying: "It's taken me five years, but now I'm one or two days away from finally finishing it, and I'm delighted,"

He had been with 846 Naval Air Squadron, based at Yeovilton, Somerset, for the past 18 months and was recently on standby to help evacuate British nationals from Lebanon if the Royal Marines were sent in.

HMS Queen Elizabeth had set sail on Monday from her base in Portsmouth, Hampshire, to commence a series of ‘work-up’ exercises to make sure the carrier is ready for future operations, known as operational sea training.

As part of the training package, which usually lasts two weeks, crews of the embarked helicopter force are expected to mount a number of night-flying exercises from the deck of the 65,000 -tonnes carrier to qualify in flying on night vision goggles.

Aircrew must pass a ‘helicopter escape’ course in which they are placed in a simulated Merlin which is dropped into a swimming pool and sinks at speed - when it hits the bottom the crew are given the signal to get out.

A source confirmed: “The aircraft will be recovered and taken by road to the RN Aircraft Investigation Centre at Yeovil for investigation.

"We should expect the F35s to be grounded until the investigation is concluded and Merlins allowed to fly again."

Colonel Mark Johnson, Leyshon's Commanding Officer, said the pilot was a “shining light with a bright future.”

His family paid tribute to a 'talented' and 'passionate' man who was 'immeasurably loved'

"Rhod was so immeasurably loved by his parents, siblings, partner, friends and family and he was devoted to them." they said in a statement.

"Our lives will never be the same without him. We will always have him in our hearts. Our wonderful boy.”