The birthday celebration turned to tragedy on a sunny August morning when a Robinson R44 helicopter crashed in a field on the Isle of Wight, killing three people including a flying instructor. What began as a gift flight for a 52-year-old woman ended in loss, with investigators now working to determine exactly what went wrong 1,000 feet above the south coast.
Date: 25 August 2025 · Location: Field near Shanklin · Fatalities: 3 · Injured: 1 critically · Helicopter: Robinson R44 II
Quick snapshot
- Three killed on impact (OnTheWight)
- Inquest adjourned to 5 March 2026 (ITV News)
- AAIB investigation launched (OnTheWight)
- Exact cause of the crash
- Whether mechanical failure played a role
- Full details of pilot actions before impact
- Helicopter took off at 9am, crashed by 9:20am (The Independent)
- Post-mortems conducted 27 August 2025 (The Independent)
- Inquest opened September 2025 (The Independent)
- Full inquest hearing March 2026
- AAIB report expected within 12 months
- Hampshire Constabulary continues joint investigation
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Crash Date | 25 August 2025 |
| Location | Near Shanklin, Isle of Wight |
| Victims Killed | Justyna Czoska, 52 · Wojciech Kowalkowski, 49 · Simon Hewitt, 54 |
| Injured | 1 airlifted to Southampton |
| Helicopter Model | Robinson R44 II |
| Inquest Adjourned | 5 March 2026 |
What caused the helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight?
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) launched a full investigation immediately after the crash, with authorities estimating the inquiry could take up to 12 months before a final report is published (OnTheWight). The helicopter was recovered from the crash site near A3020 Shanklin Road and transported to Farnborough for detailed analysis.
Investigation status
Investigators are examining physical evidence from the crash site and conducting witness interviews. An AAIB spokesperson stated that it remains too early to speculate on causes, with the focus currently on gathering factual evidence rather than drawing conclusions (ITV News). Hampshire Constabulary is working alongside AAIB and the coroner’s office.
Operator statements
Northumbria Helicopters, which operated the Robinson R44 II, urged the public to avoid speculative statements about the crash. The company stated that any suggestion of pilot error “is not supported by evidence and risks causing unnecessary distress to grieving families” (ITV News). The helicopter was owned by Adventure 001 Ltd but operated by Northumbria Helicopters based at Newcastle International Airport.
Robinson Helicopter Company stated they lack sufficient information to comment on cause while offering condolences to affected families. The manufacturer noted that determining causation requires full AAIB analysis.
The pattern emerging from official statements suggests investigators are methodically ruling out causes rather than narrowing in on a specific factor at this stage.
Who died in the helicopter crash in the Isle of Wight?
The three victims were identified as Justyna Czoska, 52, Wojciech Kowalkowski, 49, and Simon Hewitt, 54. The couple from Bloxham, Oxfordshire, were celebrating what was intended to be a birthday treat when the aircraft came down. Post-mortem examinations conducted on 27 August 2025 by Dr Megan Jenkins confirmed the provisional cause of death for all three victims was multiple injuries (ITV News).
Victim names and ages
Justyna Czoska was a horse riding instructor who grew up in Poland before moving to the Oxfordshire area. Family members described her as a loving mother and dedicated professional. Wojciech Kowalkowski was her long-term partner. Simon Hewitt, the pilot, was a qualified flying instructor from Lincolnshire who was described by family as a “wonderful and intelligent” father.
Backgrounds
The flight had departed from Sandown Airport around 9am with four people on board. Reports suggest the trip was booked as a birthday gift for Justyna Czoska, with the fourth passenger—a man in his 30s—surviving the crash and requiring airlifting to hospital in Southampton (The Independent). He remained in stable condition.
Justyna Czoska’s daughter Julia Buzar and partner Jacob Butler set up a GoFundMe campaign to help repatriate bodies to Poland, illustrating the international dimension of this loss for a family with ties to both countries.
Where did the helicopter crash in the Isle of Wight?
The Robinson R44 II came down in a field near A3020 Shanklin Road on the morning of 25 August 2025. The crash occurred at approximately 9:20am local time, less than half an hour after departing from Sandown Airport (The Independent). Emergency services arrived quickly, with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance supporting the response.
Crash site details
Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter spiralling toward the ground before impact. The crash site remained cordoned off into the evening of 25 August 2025, with AAIB investigators on scene to begin their work immediately (ITV News YouTube). The site near Shanklin, a coastal town on the Isle of Wight’s southeastern coast, saw a significant emergency response.
Response efforts
One survivor was airlifted to University Hospital Southampton in stable condition. The Isle of Wight’s geography—with limited major trauma facilities—necessitated the transfer to the mainland. Hampshire Constabulary and South Central Ambulance Service both attended the scene alongside air ambulance crews.
The rapid emergency response underscores how island geography forces critical trauma transfers to the mainland, adding complexity to survivable incidents.
Who was the pilot in the Isle of Wight helicopter crash?
Simon Hewitt, aged 54, was the flying instructor on board the Robinson R44 II. He was based in Lincolnshire and worked for Northumbria Helicopters, which operated the aircraft involved in the fatal flight. Family members described him as a “wonderful and intelligent” father who was passionate about aviation instruction.
Pilot identity
Northumbria Helicopters has defended Hewitt’s record, stating that speculation about pilot error is premature and unsupported by evidence. The company emphasized that Hewitt was an experienced instructor who operated the aircraft as part of his professional duties. The operator continues to cooperate fully with authorities conducting the investigation.
Operator defense
In a statement, Northumbria Helicopters urged restraint from speculative statements, noting that the investigation must be allowed to proceed without prejudgment. The company stressed its commitment to safety and full cooperation with the AAIB, Hampshire Constabulary, and the coroner’s court (ITV News).
The implication is that the operator expects the investigation to exonerate Hewitt once all evidence is reviewed, though families of the deceased may seek different answers.
What is the latest on the Isle of Wight helicopter crash?
The inquest into the deaths opened at Isle of Wight Coroner’s Court in Newport and was adjourned by Coroner Caroline Sumeray until 5 March 2026 to allow for the AAIB investigation to progress. All three victims’ provisional cause of death was recorded as multiple injuries following post-mortem examinations on 27 August 2025.
Inquest findings
At the September 2025 hearing, the coroner confirmed the victims died from multiple injuries sustained in the crash. No conclusions were drawn about the cause of the accident itself, as the AAIB investigation remains ongoing. The inquest was formally adjourned rather than concluded, meaning a full hearing will take place once investigators submit their findings.
Victim tributes
Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Donna Jones expressed her condolences to the families, stating: “This is a tragic incident. My thoughts are with the families” (The Independent). The victims’ names were released publicly by families and police starting 26 August 2025, with tributes highlighting their lives and contributions to their communities.
Timeline of events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 25 August 2025, 9:00am | Helicopter departs Sandown Airport with four people on board (The Independent) |
| 25 August 2025, 9:20am | Robinson R44 II crashes in field near A3020 Shanklin Road (OnTheWight) |
| 25 August 2025 | AAIB investigators arrive on scene; one survivor airlifted to Southampton (ITV News YouTube) |
| 27 August 2025 | Post-mortems conducted by Dr Megan Jenkins (OnTheWight) |
| September 2025 | Inquest opens and adjourned to March 2026 (ITV News) |
| 5 March 2026 | Full inquest hearing scheduled (OnTheWight) |
What we know and what remains unclear
Three fatalities from a crash with confirmed location and timeline, but investigators have yet to determine the precise mechanism of failure.
Confirmed
- Three people died at the crash site
- All three died of multiple injuries
- Crash occurred near Shanklin on 25 August 2025
- Helicopter was a Robinson R44 II
- Inquest adjourned to March 2026
Unclear
- Whether mechanical failure contributed to crash
- Why helicopter was observed spiralling
- Complete maintenance history of aircraft
- Specific pilot actions before impact
What officials said
“While we understand there are many questions about what caused this accident, we do not have enough information to speak with any certainty at this time.”
— Robinson Helicopter Company (ITV News)
“Any suggestion of pilot error, at this point, is not supported by evidence and risks causing unnecessary distress to grieving families.”
— Northumbria Helicopters (ITV News)
“Our current focus is on gathering physical evidence from the accident site and interviewing witnesses.”
— AAIB Spokesperson (The Independent)
For families seeking answers about what happened to their loved ones on that August morning, the wait continues. The AAIB investigation, expected to take 12 months, will determine whether the crash resulted from mechanical factors, human error, or external circumstances. Until investigators publish their final report and the coroner holds the full inquest hearing in March 2026, the precise cause of this tragedy will remain undetermined.
Related reading: cause of death investigations
The Robinson R44 Clipper II crash during a flying lesson near Shanklin, killing three, is detailed in early crash coverage, with one survivor reported.
Frequently asked questions
What type of helicopter was involved in the Isle of Wight crash?
The aircraft was a Robinson R44 II, a four-seat light helicopter commonly used for training and sightseeing flights. It was operated by Northumbria Helicopters based at Newcastle International Airport.
When was the inquest for the helicopter crash opened?
The inquest opened in September 2025 and was adjourned by Coroner Caroline Sumeray to 5 March 2026 to allow the AAIB investigation to conclude first.
What is the status of the injured survivor?
The man in his 30s was airlifted to University Hospital Southampton in stable condition. He has since been discharged from hospital.
Was the crash during a flying lesson?
Simon Hewitt, 54, was a qualified flying instructor on board. While the aircraft took off from Sandown Airport, the exact nature of the flight—whether a lesson or another type of operation—forms part of the investigation.
Who were the victims of the Isle of Wight helicopter crash?
Justyna Czoska (52) and Wojciech Kowalkowski (49), a couple from Bloxham, Oxfordshire, along with pilot Simon Hewitt (54) from Lincolnshire, died in the crash.
What helicopter model is the R44?
The Robinson R44 is a four-seat light helicopter produced by Robinson Helicopter Company. The R44 II variant includes upgraded features and is popular for both private and commercial operations including flight training.
How did emergency services respond to the crash?
Multiple emergency services attended, including Hampshire Constabulary, South Central Ambulance Service, and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. One survivor was airlifted to Southampton while investigators secured the scene.
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Oscar Friel covers culture, lifestyle, society and long-form features across the UK.