Light Aircraft down G-CFAZ - October 2008

[Slow Progress]

Northwest Tonight reporting that a light aircraft has come down on Saddleworth Moor, Nr Manchester.

Does anyone have any info?

Hope everyone is ok.

[AMEandPPL]

This is from the Manchester Evening News web-site

Man killed in plane crash - News - Manchester Evening News (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1071453_man_killed_in_plane_crash)

Very sad, as always. . . . . condolences to family (though pilot not named yet).

[camlobe]

Sad news. Condolences to family and friends.

camlobe

[AMEandPPL]

A bit more information, this time from today's M E N . . . . . including a name.

Dad killed in plane crash - News - Manchester Evening News (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1071502_dad_killed_in_plane_crash)

I can confirm the remarks about the weather being generally clear and bright yesterday afternoon, because I was also airborne from EGCB at about the time this accident happened. We will have to wait to see what the AAIB find out in their investigation.

[airborne_artist]

I'm sorry to hear of this, but I do wonder if he said this (see linked article above):

"Aerodrome spokesman Robin Tudor said: "..... it's extremely rare for light aircraft pilots to have a parachute strap."

[AMEandPPL]

it's extremely rare for light aircraft pilots to have a parachute strap

Yes, it's odd that, isn't it ? Interestingly, though, I see the article on the web site is still saying that, but in tonight's actual paper MEN the word "strap" has been removed !

Makes much more sense when it says just :

"it's extremely rare for light aircraft pilots to have a parachute. "

[AMEandPPL]

As if that wasn't bad enough, there was a brief mention on the BBC's north-west local news tonight about an autogyro (I think) descending unceremoniously into a field near EGCB this afternoon. Two people injured, apparently, but not life-threatening.

What can have jinxed us thus this week, I wonder ?

[SpeedbirdXK8]

Also a microlight down in Dorset tonight being reported on BBC website.

[vanHorck]

BBC NEWS | UK | England | Microlight crashes into field (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7662328.stm)

[SpeedbirdXK8]

Good link VanH, Henstridge I think is close to the accident site. No more meaning in that comment than that. Very sad couple of days.

[vanHorck]

grrrr, yes (10 characters minimum)

[Nov71]

Do the family, friends or us really want to read the eyewitness quote 'fireball hurtled to the ground'? Save it for the AAIB investigation.
At least they can be comforted by the fact that it appears to have missed a school/hospital/Bambi!

Sad 2 days for light aviation and condolences to the families involved.

[Deadside]

BBC's north-west local news tonight about an autogyro (I think) descending unceremoniously into a field near EGCB this afternoon. Two people injured, apparently, but not life-threatening.

What can have jinxed us thus this week, I wonder ?

You could say that lol..

Just heard that both the pilot and the pax of the one that came down at Barton are both ok. May have a sore rear end for a few days mind you..

[lingasting]

Latest BBC link here. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7662328.stm)

[on21]

BBC Link to the Barton Autogyro

BBC NEWS | England | Manchester | Two injured in helicopter crash (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7662247.stm)

[AMEandPPL]

Just back from flying at EGCB this afternoon (crap visibility in haze ! ).

Since the Ru in PPRuNe stands for rumour, I'll pass on that I was told today that the aircraft in the fatal crash a few days ago is believed to have "broken up in flight". Hopefully the AAIB will be able to be very much more specific with its findings.

Very sad to see the flags at half-mast at the airfield. :sad:

[tonyhalsall]

...............<<<<<<<<<< Since the Ru in PPRuNe stands for rumour, I'll pass on that I was told today that the aircraft in the fatal crash a few days ago is believed to have "broken up in flight"..........>>>>>>>>>>

Strewth !!

Are you talking about the CT2K?

No hint of groundings or mandatory mods yet?????

Very strange that an inflight break has not had pretty fast acting repercussions.

[S-Works]

I seem to recall the weather was marginal at the time. Perhaps an inadvertent clash with IMC.

[AMEandPPL]

to both today's contributors:

I learned today that there was actually some nasty weather around at the time of the accident involving G-CFAZ. Apparently some nasty dark stuff, practically down to ground level, especially to the east of EGCB, and towards the Pennines where the accident took place.
I was flying at the same time, but we were to the west of the local area and we saw nothing we'd regard as threatening.
The reference to "in-flight break-up" did not mean that it was spontaneous, but rather was perhaps a consequence of inappropriate or ill-advised speeds or G-forces. It would not be a reason for groundings or mandatory mods to others of the same type.
Sorry if I did not make this clear previously.

[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

While browsing the hometown rag Death crash pilot 'may have taken cannabis' - News - Stockport Express (http://www.stockportexpress.co.uk/news/s/1181986_death_crash_pilot_may_have_taken_cannabis)

Death crash pilot 'may have taken cannabis'

The totally crass standards of reporting we’ve come to expect from most newspapers gives little representation of the AAIB Report. http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/Flight%20Design%20CTSW,%20G-CFAZ%2011-09.pdf (http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/Flight%20Design%20CTSW,%20G-CFAZ%2011-09.pdf)


Synopsis
The pilot was flying from Manchester Barton to Shacklewell Lodge, a small private airstrip near RAF Cottesmore. To the east of Manchester the aircraft descended rapidly and crashed into the ground at Saddleworth Moor, probably as a result of a loss of control following an inadvertent entry into cloud.

It goes on to say;

The aircraft was fitted with basic VFR flight instrumentation, much of it integrated into an electronic multi-function (MFD) display which showed airspeed, propeller rpm and altitude. The aircraft had a magnetic compass but was not fitted with an artificial horizon or direction indicator.

Interestingly but largely ignored by the news wallahs;


The club CFI (Chief Flying Instructor) described the pilot as being very proficient at handling the aircraft but had, on a number of occasions, expressed concern to the pilot about his judgement. The areas of concern included decisions on whether to fly in weather which was marginal or unsuitable, and instances of flight recorded as flown at unusually high speeds and power settings. Members of the group which owned the aircraft had also discussed concerns about the pilot’s judgement, and whether he would continue as a member of the group.
The pilot’s licence validity expired on 4 May 2008. The pilot did not hold a radio licence.


Anyway, it's always sad when people die in aeroplanes and not good PR for our hobby. When sensationalised by linking it with some tenuous drug crazed birdman story, it's particularly bad news and bloody annoying.

[Brooklands]

Mods,

Is it possible to change the title of this thread to reflect the fact that this incident occured over a year ago.

Brooklands