A new report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has determined that 1995 World Rally Champion Colin McRae was operating his Eurocopter Squirrel helicopter without a license.

Furthermore, according to a video recording recovered from the crash site, “The helicopter’s main rotor disc struck a fir tree about 30ft below its top as it flew at high speed and low height…”

In a statement by Mark and Karen Porcelli (parents of six year-old Ben Porcelli who also died in the crash), “Most of the flight was captured on video and it is clearly evident that unnecessary risks were taken and that the accident was completely avoidable.”

Follow these links for more breaking news about the ongoing crash investigation. Autosport; BBC