The family of an airman killed when an RAF helicopter crashed paid tribute to him and said he loved his military life.

Crewman Sergeant Phillip "Taff" Burfoot, 27, died alongside aircraft captain, Flight Lieutenant David Sale, 28, when the Puma helicopter they were in crashed in North Yorkshire on Wednesday night.

Ten others - including nine Army personnel - were injured when the aircraft crashed in a grassy field to the west of Catterick Garrison, near Hudswell Grange.

Sgt Burfoot's family said from their home in Cardiff: "Phillip loved the active lifestyle and opportunities given to him whilst serving in the RAF.

"During his time in service he made many friends throughout the country but what meant most to him was the camaraderie with his fellow servicemen.

"He will be deeply missed by his family, whose thoughts are also with the families of those involved in the accident."

Sgt Burfoot and Flt Lt Sale served with 33 Squadron based at Royal Air Force Benson in Oxfordshire.

Station Commander Group Captain Paul Lyall said: "Words cannot adequately express our grief at their loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with the families and loved ones at this time."

Accident investigators spent yesterday scouring the crash site but the RAF was not speculating on the cause of the crash.

Eyewitnesses reported the aircraft "misfiring" before turning on its side and dropping "like a sack of potatoes".

David Learmount, operations and safety editor at Flight International magazine, said if such reports of the helicopter rolling on to its side in mid-air were true, its balancing mechanism must have failed.

"It suggests to me that something broke that keeps the aircraft balanced," he said.

"It could be one of hundreds of mechanical failures connected to either the main rotor or the tail rotor, which provides a counter balance."

Flt Lt Sale had been with the squadron since April 2003 where colleagues at RAF Benson said his "cheerful manner and dry wit" made him a welcome presence on the ground and in the air.

In a statement they said: "Dave was a model officer and professional pilot, immersing himself in squadron life in all respects.

"A good friend to many, not only in the Royal Air Force but also amongst those who knew him from his time at university, Dave was the life and soul of the party and will be sorely missed by all."

Colleagues described Sgt Burfoot, who joined the squadron in April 2007, as a "highly capable aviator" whose love of life was infectious.

"He showed huge potential in his fledgling career as a crewman and will be sorely missed by all his friends and colleagues throughout the Royal Air Force," they said.

The injured were being treated at hospitals across the north east of England.

Two were critically ill at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, while three others at the hospital were stable.

Another two of the crew were taken to the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton where they were in a stable condition.

One of the injured is being treated at Darlington Memorial Hospital and another two at a hospital in Newcastle.

Brigadier David Clements, commandant of the infantry training centre at Catterick, confirmed that the nine Army personnel aboard the aircraft were based at the North Yorkshire base.

He said the eight recruits and one member of permanent staff were on a routine training exercise when the incident occurred.

"All were moved swiftly to hospitals within the region," he said.

"At present three recruits are listed as very seriously ill with the remainder thankfully having incurred minor injuries.

"The next of kin of all have been informed and are being given every assistance by Army personnel.

"Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the staff and recruits involved at this tragic time.

"In addition I would like to convey my sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the airmen who died."

Investigators will sift though aircraft documents to try to determine what caused it to plummet to the ground.

Pumas, which are used all over the world for civilian and military operations, have a very good safety record, the MoD said.

The garrison, in the north east of Yorkshire, is the UK's largest Army base, with 7,500 regular soldiers, 1,900 recruits and 2,000 civilian staff.

The base covers 2,400 acres, with a further 20,000 acres of training land.

The brigade based at the garrison, 19 Light Brigade, is on block leave, having been on a seven-month tour of Iraq, in which 27 personnel died.