A FOREST helicopter crash survivor says the low lying sun and his misjudgement of where power cables crossed a field, were to blame for his accident.

Ruspidge daredevil Steve Grindle, 48, walked away with just minor injuries after the helicopter he was flying crashed after the aircraft's skids got tangled up with overhead power cables in Herfordshire last September.

According to a report by the Air Accident Investigation Branch Mr Grindle, who had more than 736 flying hours to his name, said he misjudged where the power cables crossed the field and lost sight of them against the ploughed field.

The report also states the low sun may have been a factor.

Raw Sports Ltd Managing Director Mr Grindle was planning to take off in an Emstrom 480 helicopter owned by his company, from a private site.?

He lifted the chopper vertically to about 30ft, to clear a barn that was directly in front and flew it forward followed by a right turn.

But in attempting to avoid the obstacles the helicopter’s left skid caught power cables, causing the aircraft to roll upright and nose down before the cable snapped.

Mr Grindle vacated the helicopter without help suffering only minor injuries.