The Royal Navy aviator who died after a military helicopter ditched in the English Channel during a night flying exercise has been pictured for the first time.
Lt Rhodri Leyshon was aboard a Merlin Mk4 which plunged into the water on Wednesday evening after it suffered a ‘double engine failure’.
The helicopter, which had a crew of three, was conducting mission rehearsals with the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth when the tragic incident occurred.
Lt Leyshon’s family has paid tribute to a ‘talented’ and ‘passionate’ man who was ‘immeasurably loved’.
They said in a statement: ‘Rhod was so immeasurably loved by his parents, siblings, partner, friends and family and he was devoted to them. Our lives will never be the same without him.
Lt Rhodri Leyshon was aboard a Merlin Mk4 which plunged into the water on Wednesday evening
The incident involved a Merlin Mk4 helicopter that ditched into the sea while conducting night flying exercises with HMS Queen Elizabeth near Dorset (file image)
‘We are all so very proud of the talented, passionate, strong and loyal man he was. We will always have him in our hearts. Our wonderful boy.’
The Royal Navy has also paid to Lt Leyshon who was commissioned in 2014 and undertook flying training, specialising as a Commando Aviator.
Colonel Mark Johnson, Commanding Officer of Commando Helicopter Force at Yeovilton, said: ‘It’s immensely sad that we lost one of our family.
‘Lt Leyshon was a consummate professional and a shining light with a bright future.
‘He epitomised our team spirit and his loss leaves a huge hole in all our hearts.’
Air Vice-Marshal Alastair Smith, Commander of Joint Aviation Command, added: ‘I flew with Lt Leyshon just a few days ago and personally attest to both his professionalism as a pilot and his warmth as a character.
‘He will be sorely missed by the Squadron, the Commando Helicopter Force and the wider Joint Aviation Command.’
All three crew members were on board the helicopter when it made a deliberate emergency landing on Wednesday night.
Lt Leyshon’s colleagues were rescued from the choppy waters and were taken to hospital as a precaution.
Preliminary inquiries into the accident have suggested the helicopter suffered a loss of power.
The Merlin Mk4 is powered by three jet engines generating a combined 6,500 horsepower and a top speed of 160 knots.
It also has three separate hydraulic systems and three separate fuel lines.
The duplication of these capabilities, known to naval aviators as ‘redundancies’, is intended to ensure that should an engine or a hydraulic system fail, another can compensate.
But on this exceptionally rare occasion, it seems at least two, possibly three engines, suffered an irretrievable loss of power.
The Prime Minister, the Defence Secretary and senior Royal Navy officers paid tribute to the serviceman that died before his name was released.
Sir Keir Starmer said he was ‘deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of a member of the Royal Navy’.
John Healey MP, who was visiting the Royal Navy in Portsmouth on Thursday morning said: ‘This is very sad news, that everyone connected with our armed forces dreads.
‘All my thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues today. I’ve been able to share my condolences with Navy personnel and I am here with the First Sea Lord (1SL).
‘A full investigation has already started and that will be one of his first priorities. It will be for the investigation [to find out what happened].
‘Today, is a day to mourn the loss of a valued member of naval personnel and to think about his family, his friends and his colleagues. The wider naval service also feels his loss.’
Admiral Sir Ben Key, the First Sea Lord, added that he was ‘intensely saddened by the tragic loss of one of our Royal Navy personnel’.
The Merlin Mk4 has an exceptional safety record, according to navy sources. The helicopter is 75ft long and weighs almost 16 tonnes.
It is designed to move up to 24 personnel and equipment across sea and land. The helicopter is also used in evacuation situations and for humanitarian missions.
Importantly, it is equipped with floatation aids, known as ‘flop bags’, which are released from the helicopter if it ditches in water.
These are supposed to keep the Merlin afloat. The functionality of these aids will form part of the accident investigation.
This is a breaking news story- more to follow
