Heather Bell's horse bolted after a helicopter flew overhead

Heather Bell, 38, died after she was thrown from a horse in Middle Rasen, Lincs, when, it is claimed, the animal was startled by a Chinook helicopter.

Squadron Leader Philip Robinson and Flight Lieutenant Peter Warmerdan have denied flying at less than 50ft.

Some witnesses reported the Chinook was around 30ft from the ground.

Altitude alarm

The inquest had already heard Mrs Bell, 38, was thrown through the air "like a rag doll" when her horse bolted in June 2003.

The pilots told the jury that if they had gone below 50ft a warning light would have come on followed by an alarm.

The pilots said they had not heard any alarm sound but admitted they could not be certain the warning light had not been set off.

Flt Lt Warmerdan said the aircraft had been flown properly and professionally throughout the journey.

But he admitted there were always some risks to the public from low flying.

When asked by coroner Stuart Fisher whether it was justifiable to take a life, Flt Lt Warmerdan said any loss of life was unacceptable but the risks were "balanced".

The jury will be shown a reconstruction of the flight when the inquests resumes on Thursday.