Coastguard pilot rolled helicopter to avoid US Airforce jet in Highlands

A Coastguard search and rescue pilot “rolled” his helicopter to avoid colliding with a USAF F15 fighter jet.

The incident happened while the S92 crew were on a mission over Ben Nevis on August 3.

The helicopter pilot believed that the jet, one of four on a training mission, had entered an area of air space zoned for the helicopter crew’s search and rescue operation.

The UK Airprox board said tht there had been no risk of collision.

An investigation into the incident concluded that it had happened because the pilots saw each others’ aircraft late.

There was low cloud obscuring Ben Nevis but the board said both pilots took timely action to avoid a collision.

The helicopter pilot’s actions included “rolling towards high ground”. He had assessed the risk of collision as “high”.

While flying to avoid the helicopter, the F15 pilot also alerted the rest of the formation to it.

He had assessed the risk as “low”.

The board said the helicopter pilot could have been “startled by the sudden appearance” of the F15s.