A HELIPAD has been extended at a small Scottish airport after a collision between two helicopters during a take-off.

No-one was injured when the pilot of a Robinson R44 helicopter (G-CTFL) reversed into another of the same model (G-HYND) at Cumbernauld Airport in May but safety instructions have been revised.

The pilot, who was carrying two passengers, was taking off for a lesson but was unaware another helicopter, with three passengers, had landed behind him and was shutting down after a sightseeing trip.

The AAIB said the pilot of G-CTFL was not alerted that G-HYND had parked on grass behind him and felt he was restricted by other aircraft on the field, including an R22 helicopter.

AAIB report said: “He did not turn his helicopter to check the area to his rear was clear before reversing, because of the proximity of the R22 on his right and because he did not wish to turn his tail left towards the building, where some spectators had assembled.

“The main rotor blades of G-HYND were still turning slowly and, as G-CTFL approached, one of the m struck the engine housing of the hovering helicopter.”

Since the incident, the helipad has been extended as has a parking area for helicopters.

The AAIB said: “This accident highlights the need to regularly review such procedures.”