The Isle of Wight, usually a place of tranquil countryside and seaside charm, was the unexpected scene of tragedy on Monday, August 25, 2025, when a helicopter crashed in a field near the A3020 Shanklin Road, close to Whiteley Bank. The accident, which occurred during a routine flying lesson, has left three families grieving and a community in shock, while investigators begin the painstaking work of uncovering what went wrong.
According to reports from BBC and other local outlets, the helicopter—a Robinson R44 II registered G-OCLV—had departed from Sandown Airport at approximately 9:00 AM BST. On board were four people: Captain Simon Hewitt, 54, from Barton-upon-Humber, and passengers Justyna Czoska, 52, and Wojciech Kowalkowski, 49, both from Banbury, as well as a fourth man in his 30s. The flight, operated by Northumbria Helicopters under the Adventure 001 brand, was meant to be a training exercise over the Apse Heath and Wroxall area. But within just minutes of takeoff, disaster struck.
Witnesses recalled seeing the helicopter spiral out of control before crashing in a field alongside the A3020 at 9:20 AM. Emergency services were called at 9:26 AM, and the response was swift. Despite their efforts, three of the four people on board—Hewitt, Czoska, and Kowalkowski—lost their lives. The fourth passenger was airlifted to the major trauma centre at University Hospital Southampton, where he remains in stable condition, as of August 27.
The scene was chaotic and harrowing. Drone footage, widely shared by BBC, showed emergency crews working amid the wreckage, with a large truck eventually lifting the remains of the helicopter from a hedge bordering the country road. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), the UK’s official body for probing air disasters, immediately launched an inquiry. A spokesperson for the AAIB confirmed to BBC that investigators were gathering physical evidence from the accident site and interviewing witnesses, and that the investigation could take up to 12 months to complete.
The impact of the crash was felt most deeply by the families of those who perished. In a moving statement released through the police, Simon Hewitt’s partner and family described him as “the most wonderful, intelligent, kind man and father. He brought so much joy and light into our lives. We are absolutely broken.” Northumbria Helicopters, the operator, echoed these sentiments, calling Captain Hewitt “not only an immensely respected member of our team, but also a truly wonderful family man, a much-loved friend and a highly regarded colleague. Simon will be truly missed.”
Tributes poured in as well for Justyna Czoska and Wojciech Kowalkowski, a couple whose lives were cut short in the crash. Justyna’s daughter and family wrote, “We are heartbroken to share the passing of our mum. She was beautiful, funny, talkative, optimistic and kind—always wanting to make those around her happy. She was our best friend, we miss the sound of her voice, we will miss her forever. The memories with her will last a lifetime.”
Wojciech Kowalkowski’s family described him as “the father of two loving children, and will be deeply missed.” Justyna’s daughter added, “He always made me happy and always made my mum happy and always made what was a family. He helped and was a heart-filled person.” The outpouring of grief and remembrance made clear just how much these individuals meant to those closest to them.
Dan Subhani, the manager of Sandown-based Isle of Wight Airport, where the ill-fated flight began, was visibly shaken by the tragedy. “Everyone at the Isle of Wight Airport are horrified by the incident,” he said, according to Isle of Wight County Press. “Our thoughts go out to the friends and family of the deceased. Adventure 001 has been operating safely and professionally from the airport for about four years. Helicopters are inherently safe, but nothing in life has a 100 percent guarantee.” Subhani added that he was working closely with the AAIB as the investigation unfolded, and he expressed hope that answers would emerge soon.
Northumbria Helicopters, in a statement released to the press, extended its “thoughts and prayers” to the families and friends of all those involved. The company thanked emergency services, its own team on the ground, and members of the public who offered assistance in the immediate aftermath. “Our heartfelt condolences remain with everyone affected by this tragedy and we continue to cooperate with the ongoing AAIB investigation,” the statement read.
For now, the cause of the accident remains a mystery. The AAIB’s initial focus has been on collecting wreckage and interviewing those who witnessed the crash. The wreckage was removed from the site on Tuesday, August 26, and activity at the scene was expected to be completed by the end of Wednesday, August 27. Investigators have cautioned that the full process of determining what caused the helicopter to spiral out of control may take a year or more.
While the Isle of Wight is no stranger to aviation, incidents like this are exceedingly rare. Adventure 001, the operator, has been flying from Sandown Airport for about four years without incident, according to airport management. The Robinson R44 II, the model involved, is widely used for training and private flights in the UK and elsewhere, and has a reputation for reliability, though—as with all aircraft—accidents can and do occur.
The tragedy has prompted some to reflect on the risks inherent in aviation, even in environments considered safe. As Dan Subhani put it, “Helicopters are inherently safe, but nothing in life has a 100 percent guarantee.” For the families of Simon Hewitt, Justyna Czoska, and Wojciech Kowalkowski, that reality is now heartbreakingly clear.
The Isle of Wight community, along with the UK’s aviation sector, now waits for answers. The AAIB’s investigation will examine every detail, from weather conditions and pilot experience to the mechanical state of the helicopter and the events leading up to the crash. Only then will those affected have a clearer picture of how such a routine flying lesson ended in tragedy.
As the investigation continues, the memories of the three lives lost—each cherished and deeply loved—remain at the forefront for their families, friends, and all those touched by this sudden loss.
