Home / Disasters and Accidents / Three Killed in Isle of Wight Helicopter Crash, Survivor Airlifted
Three Killed in Isle of Wight Helicopter Crash, Survivor Airlifted
8 Sep
Summary
- Three people killed in helicopter crash on Isle of Wight
- Pilot Simon Hewitt, horseriding instructor Justyna Czoska, and her partner Wojciech Kowalkowski died
- Fourth person in helicopter, a man in his 30s, airlifted to hospital
On August 25th, a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight claimed the lives of three people. The victims were identified as Captain Simon Hewitt, horseriding instructor Justyna Czoska, and her partner Wojciech Kowalkowski.
The Robinson R44 II helicopter they were traveling in came down in a field near the A3020 Shanklin Road. A fourth person, a man in his 30s, was airlifted to a hospital in Southampton with injuries.
An inquest hearing held on September 8th, 2025 revealed that all three deceased individuals died from "multiple injuries" sustained in the crash. The coroner adjourned the inquest for a further hearing scheduled for March 5th, 2026 as the investigation continues.
While the exact cause of the accident remains unknown, the Robinson Helicopter Company suggested that "80%" of similar crashes are due to "pilot error." However, the operators of the helicopter, Northumbria Helicopters, urged caution against speculating on the cause, stating that the investigation is still in its early stages.
The families of the victims have expressed their grief, with Ms. Czoska's daughters describing her as "beautiful, funny, talkative, optimistic and kind," while Mr. Kowalkowski's family said he will be "deeply missed" as the father of two loving children.
