N.HEALD
27th Apr 2009, 18:28
This from todays Express & Echo Witheridge plane crash, Foxden Farm, BAC Strikemaster | Witheridge news | This Is Exeter (http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/news/Pilots-escape-jet-crash-lands/article-938102-detail/article.html)
TWO pilots escaped unhurt after their historic military jet crash-landed near a Devon farm. The plane came down near Foxden Farm, Witheridge, near Tiverton, yesterday afternoon. It is thought to be a privately-owned ex-military BAC Strikemaster, operated by the Exeter Hunter Flying Club.
It is also understood it took off from Exeter International Airport before those flying the plane took the decision to crash-land after losing power at around 2,000ft. Emergency services responded to the incident and the Environment Agency was also called to prevent the large amount of fuel onboard causing pollution.
Chris Bridgeman, group commander for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said the pair involved in the accident had been lucky to escape unharmed. He said: “The two people in the plane were taken away very early but they were walking around with apparently no injuries. They were very lucky. “One of the wings is snapped and that is where the fuel supply is. Because of that, we have put up a 200-metre exclusion zone to keep the crews safe. “Our role now is to preserve the site for accident investigators but the exclusion zone will remain until they come as the plane is a hazard as it has 500 litres of fuel onboard.
“The ejector seats are also still in situ and they contain a charge in them which sends the seat up.” Mr Bridgeman said there had been an issue of fuel run-off, but that had been dealt with by the fire service and the Environment Agency. He said there had been some contamination of a nearby stream which had been dealt with. Besides fire engines from Witheridge, Tiverton, Crediton and Exeter, the police, ambulance and air ambulance were involved. Fire engines from Wellington and Taunton equipped with foam in case the plane did cause a fire also attended.
Staff from the Department of Transport’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch were on their way to the scene from Farnborough, in Hampshire.
Mr Bridgeman said an investigation would take place when they arrived if there was enough light. If there wasn’t, then the fire service would keep watch on the site overnight and the AAIB would investigate the scene today.
The Hunter Flying Club, which keeps a number of historic aircraft at Exeter airport, said it could not comment before the investigation was completed.
TWO pilots escaped unhurt after their historic military jet crash-landed near a Devon farm. The plane came down near Foxden Farm, Witheridge, near Tiverton, yesterday afternoon. It is thought to be a privately-owned ex-military BAC Strikemaster, operated by the Exeter Hunter Flying Club.
It is also understood it took off from Exeter International Airport before those flying the plane took the decision to crash-land after losing power at around 2,000ft. Emergency services responded to the incident and the Environment Agency was also called to prevent the large amount of fuel onboard causing pollution.
Chris Bridgeman, group commander for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said the pair involved in the accident had been lucky to escape unharmed. He said: “The two people in the plane were taken away very early but they were walking around with apparently no injuries. They were very lucky. “One of the wings is snapped and that is where the fuel supply is. Because of that, we have put up a 200-metre exclusion zone to keep the crews safe. “Our role now is to preserve the site for accident investigators but the exclusion zone will remain until they come as the plane is a hazard as it has 500 litres of fuel onboard.
“The ejector seats are also still in situ and they contain a charge in them which sends the seat up.” Mr Bridgeman said there had been an issue of fuel run-off, but that had been dealt with by the fire service and the Environment Agency. He said there had been some contamination of a nearby stream which had been dealt with. Besides fire engines from Witheridge, Tiverton, Crediton and Exeter, the police, ambulance and air ambulance were involved. Fire engines from Wellington and Taunton equipped with foam in case the plane did cause a fire also attended.
Staff from the Department of Transport’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch were on their way to the scene from Farnborough, in Hampshire.
Mr Bridgeman said an investigation would take place when they arrived if there was enough light. If there wasn’t, then the fire service would keep watch on the site overnight and the AAIB would investigate the scene today.
The Hunter Flying Club, which keeps a number of historic aircraft at Exeter airport, said it could not comment before the investigation was completed.