(Clockwise from left) Mr McRae, his son Johnny, Ben Porcelli and Graeme Duncan died in the crash A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into a helicopter crash in South Lanarkshire which killed rally driver Colin McRae and three others will begin later.
Mr McRae, 39, was piloting the aircraft on a sightseeing trip when it clipped trees near his home in September 2007.
The rally champion’s five-year-old son, Johnny, also died in the crash along with family friends Ben Porcelli, six, and 37-year-old Graeme Duncan.
An official report found no evidence that the helicopter malfunctioned.
The Air Accident Investigations Branch (AAIB) report said Mr McRae was “undertaking a demanding manoeuvre” before the Eurocopter Squirrel aircraft hit trees and crashed on 15 September, 2007.
The aircraft came down just 150 yards from the landing strip at the McRae family’s home.
The report also said the former rally world champion’s flying licence had expired and he was not authorised to fly that type of aircraft as his “valid type rating” had lapsed in March 2007.
The findings revealed that passenger Graeme Duncan had recorded video footage on a camcorder during the helicopter’s flight prior to the crash.
This was recovered from the wreckage and viewed by investigators to help them piece together the moments before impact.
The AAIB report said the mood on the helicopter was jovial and the passengers could be heard shouting and laughing, “enjoying the experience”.
Following that report, Ben Porcelli’s parents accused Mr McRae of taking “unnecessary risks” and said the crash was “completely avoidable”.
The FAI into the crash will be held at Lanark Sheriff Court.
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