A CORONER has criticised the running of an RAF base following a helicopter crash which killed three men.

Coroner Geoff Fell told Harrogate Magistrates’ Court yesterday the running of RAF Benson, near Wallingford, where the crew of Puma helicopters are based, “left much to be desired”.

He also pointed to a background of “deteriorating administration, airmanship and discipline” at the inquest into the deaths of Flight Lieutenant David Sale, 28, Sergeant Phillip Burfoot, 27, and 17-year-old Private Sean Tait.

The three men died after a £20m Puma crashed near Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, in August 2007.

Flt Lt Sale, from Norton on Teesside, and Sgt Burfoot, from Cardiff, were both serving with 33 Squadron and stationed at RAF Benson when they died.

The three-week inquest heard the crash occurred on a two-day training exercise.

Mr Fell was told members of the crew were laughing and joking, listening to music over the speaker system and quoting the Tom Cruise film Top Gun minutes before the crash.

He said the helicopter’s pilot, Flt Lt Sale, may not have had the capability to carry out the risky manoeuvre which led to the crash.

Mr Fell said crew members on the day of the crash were “inexperienced” and were undertaking their first trip without an instructor.

The coroner said tactical manoeuvres were “excessive in number and irregularity” and added the crew was “oblivious” at times and that there was a deterioration in discipline.

Mr Fell, who recorded narrative verdicts, said: “The pilot of the helicopter was attempting a flying manoeuvre which was beyond his capabilities, or those of the Puma, or a combination of both.

“Against a background of deteriorating administration, airmanship and discipline, the helicopter crashed.”

Speaking outside the court, RAF Benson Station Commander Group Captain Jonathan Burr said: “The verdict today will reinforce action we have already taken.

“We have changed the way that we supervise, manage and task our Puma operations, both at home and overseas, to ensure that such events are not repeated as far as is humanly possible.”

He added the RAF would continue its own internal investigations.

The families of Flt Lt Sale, Sgt Burfoot and Pt Tait all paid tributes to their loved ones in statements.

Pt Tait’s family said: “All his family are still devastated at his untimely and early death.

“We feel it is not an accident having listened to all the evidence of the last three weeks and we hope that lessons have been learnt.”

Sgt Burfoot’s family paid tribute to the bravery of the ministry personnel who rushed to the aid of the dead and injured following the crash. Flt Lt Sale’s family said the pilot had “loved his job” and was “determined to be very professional at it”.