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A pilot who crashed his helicopter close to the River Thames may have been "distracted" by texting, a report has said.
Pete B, 50, who had 25 years' flying experience,
died after clipping a high-rise crane on The Tower at St George Wharf in Vauxhall, south London,
amid heavy fog last year.
Pedestrian Matthew W, 39, was killed after the helicopter fell 700ft to the ground.
Nine other people were injured, while cars and buildings around the crash site were also damaged.
Mr B, a father-of-two from Berkshire,
sent and received ten text messages during the 25 minute flight,
a report by accident investigators revealed.
The report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) stated he may have used the messages to "make operational decisions"
as it warned that texting "can distract pilots" and should only be done "in an emergency".
It said: "These messages, along with four before flight,
were used to exchange information,
some of which the pilot appeared to have used to make operational decisions.
"The Civil Aviation Authority acknowledges the utility of mobile phones but is concerned that they can distract pilots from their primary role and should not be used except in an emergency."
The report added:
"It could not be determined whether the act of composing and sending the message distracted the pilot from taking note of the weather information.
It is likely, however, that it was a text message that prompted his decision to divert to London Heliport.
"It is possible, therefore,
that the pilot was distracted by the act of changing frequency as he entered the turn towards the building."
The report, published on September 9,
went on to recommend that there should be clearer guidance around potential hazards posed by high-rise buildings.
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