The third day of the inquiry into the helicopter crash which killed eleven-times TT winner Steve Hislop has been shown pictures of the wreckage site.

Hislop, also a British Superbike champion, died in a crash in the Scottish Borders nearly five years ago.

Today, pictures were submitted as part of a presentation by the Air Accident Investigation Branch.

They showed the charred and smashed remains of the R44 aircraft, the tail of which was sliced off by the rotor blades as it plunged to the ground.

The trail of debris, stretching 400m long and spread 100m wide, could be seen scattered across a hillside in the Scottish Borders.

Senior air investigator, Tony Cable, said the wreckage distribution made it clear the tailboom had become detached before the main part of the helicopter hit the ground at high speed, and had severe fire damage.

He added that once the tail was sliced from the helicopter, it would have been impossible to control because of the loss of weight at the back end.

The inspector, who attended the site in the days after the accident, said the carburretor icing up was the most likely cause of a loss of power.

The carburretor is the part in the engine which mixes fuel and air.

The hearing continues.

(Picture: The statue in memory of Steve Hislop, overlooking Douglas Bay).