A HERO pilot steered his stricken helicopter away from homes after it suffered engine failure above a Hampshire housing estate.

Andy Goddard, 44, of The Hangers, Bishop's Waltham, managed to make a controlled landing land on a playing field - and walked away without a scratch.

Mr Goddard was flying from Bishop's Waltham to Goodwood on Saturday when calamity struck at 1,600ft.

He said: "I was approaching the outskirts of Waterlooville when I heard a loud bang and the cockpit started to fill with smoke.

"I managed to turn the helicopter away from the houses below and suddenly a lovely big green field came into view.

"Luckily, I was flying an Enstrom helicopter. They're very safe because they have heavy rotor blades and there's a lot more inertia to keep them turning if the engine packs in."

Mr Goddard managed to send out a Mayday distress call that was picked up by Southampton International Airport as the aircraft came down near Masefield Crescent, Cowplain.

"Airport staff alerted the police and fire brigade, who turned up soon after I landed," he said.