Tributes have been paid to Bradford engineer Kim Carter who was killed in a helicopter crash.

Mr Carter, 54, of Shetcliffe Lane, Bierley, was on a solo flight when the Robinson R22 helicopter came down close to the village of Sandtoft, near the M180, in north Lincolnshire, on Saturday afternoon.

Multiflight, the Leeds-Bradford Airport company which owned the two-seater helicopter, said Mr Carter had left Yeadon in the morning on a routine training flight with an instructor before he began some solo circuits.

In a statement, the firm said: “The accident occurred on the fourth solo circuit of the afternoon.

“Prior to the accident, Mr Carter had approximately 65 hours of dual flight time on the aircraft type and four hours solo time. The accident flight was his sixth solo flight.”

It continued: “Humberside Police and the Air Accident Investigation Board are handling the incident and following a preliminary investigation at the site, the helicopter wreckage will be removed, as is standard procedure, for further investigation at Farnborough.

“Multiflight wish to pass on their sympathy to the friends and family of Mr Carter and we are co-operating fully with the AAIB in its investigation into this tragic incident.”

Mr Carter was a project engineer at Ilkley electrical engineering firm NG Bailey.

A spokesman for the firm said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic news. Kim was a highly-regarded employee, having worked for the company as a project engineer for 28 years.

“He will be sorely missed by his colleagues and friends and our thoughts are with those closest to him at this very difficult time.”

Mr Carter had also been an enthusiastic and dedicated member of the boy Scout movement and was leader of the 7th Airedale scouts.

Ian Chappell, Central Yorkshire Scout Commissioner, had known Mr Carter for nine years. He said: “He was committed to Scouting and to supporting young people. He was always very enthusiastic in working for the benefit of the 7th Airedale group.

“He began as a Beaver Scout leader in 1994 and in 1999 he became the group Scout leader.

“He was a very likeable chap with a good sense of humour and who always saw the lighter side of life.”

e-mail: paddy.mcguffin@telegraphandargus.co.uk