Overview
A tragic helicopter crash occurred on the Isle of Wight on August 25, 2025, during a flying lesson that turned fatal. The incident claimed three lives, with a fourth person suffering critical injuries. Preliminary observations and ongoing investigations are unfolding amid deep grief and shock throughout the community.
What Happened?
- Timing & Location: The crash occurred around 9:20 a.m. BST near Shanklin, specifically between Shanklin and Ventnor, after departing from Sandown Airport roughly 20 minutes earlier.(The Guardian, People.com, AP News)
- Helicopter Details: The aircraft involved was a Robinson R44 II, tail number G-OCLV, operated by Northumbria Helicopters, known for providing pilot training and scenic flights.(People.com, The Independent, The Times, Wikipedia)
- Flight Scenario: Onboard were four individuals, including the pilot and three passengers. Witnesses recounted seeing the helicopter spiraling out of control before it crashed into a rural field.(People.com, The Guardian, AP News)
- Casualties: Three people were killed on impact, while the fourth seriously injured was airlifted to the Major Trauma Centre at University Hospital Southampton by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.(People.com, The Guardian, Globedge)
Victims & Personal Stories
Among the deceased were Justyna Czoska (49), a horse riding instructor, and Wojtek Kowalkowski (52), a lorry driver both originally from Poland and residing in Oxfordshire. The couple had been enjoying a Bank Holiday flying lesson as a gift when tragedy struck.(The Times, The Independent)
Their daughter, Julia Buzar, paid tribute through social media and launched a GoFundMe campaign to arrange repatriation of their bodies to Poland for proper farewell. Her heartfelt message described her mother as “the best mum you could ask for,” beloved by all.(The Times, The Independent, The Sun)
Response & Investigation
- Emergency Action: Multiple services including police, fire brigades, ambulances, and coastguard responded promptly. The crash site along A3020 Shanklin Road was quickly cordoned off.(The Sun, The Independent)
- Community Reaction: Local MPs and officials expressed profound sorrow. MP Joe Robertson noted that what should have been a fun outing concluded in somber tragedy, saying, “The whole community is in shock.”(People.com, The Guardian)
- Investigation Launched: The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is leading a formal inquiry, dispatching inspectors to the site to gather evidence and assess the cause.(People.com, The Guardian, AP News)
Considerations & Safety Context
The Robinson R44 series has a documented history of post crash fires due to vulnerabilities in its aluminum fuel tanks. While mandatory safety upgrades (e.g., bladder type fuel tanks) have been widely implemented, details on this specific aircraft’s compliance remain unconfirmed.(Wikipedia)
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | August 25, 2025, around 9:20 a.m. |
| Location | Field near Shanklin/Ventnor, Isle of Wight |
| Aircraft | Robinson R44 II (G OCLV), operated by Northumbria Helicopters |
| Passengers | Four onboard; three fatalities, one critically injured |
| Victims Named | Justyna Czoska (49), Wojtek Kowalkowski (52), plus one unnamed |
| Response | Rapid multi agency emergency response; survivor airlifted |
| Investigation | AAIB investigating; helicopter seen spiraling pre crash |
| Community Impact | Deep public shock; tributes and fundraising by family friends |
Conclusion
A Bank Holiday flight lesson on the Isle of Wight ended in heartbreak as a Robinson R44 II helicopter spiraled into a field, killing three among them a beloved mother and partner from Poland and seriously injuring the fourth participant. Emergency services responded swiftly, and an AAIB led investigation is now underway to determine what caused this devastating accident. The community, mourning alongside the bereaved, is grappling with both shock and loss.
