Close call for Sir Paul McCartney

The star, 72, and his wife Nancy Shevell were making their way to Peasmarsh from an event in London when the drama unfolded.in May 2012 an air inquiry was told.

A report published by the Department of Transport’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch found The Beatles star’s pilot missed two urgent warnings the aircraft was too close to the ground and missed hitting treetops near the home by about 2ft.

The helipad on the estate has trees all around it and the weather conditions were poor.

The first attempt to land was abandoned after rain forced the pilot to turn off the landing lights and it became unsafe.

With the second attempt, the helicopter came too close to the trees and the pilot was forced to sharply pull the Sikorsky S-76C around to safety.

Full report of the inquiry in next week’s Rye Observer.