Originally Posted by
MickG0105
If Willy ATC had required UVC to hold at Anna Bay why was he turning left? I was taught that right turns were standard for holding patterns unless directed otherwise. Common sense would dictate that if he was required to hold he would have been turning right, wouldn't it?
Most aircraft holding at Anna Bay would be instructed to hold over water at 500’, it would appear that most pilots travelling southbound on the route would interpret that as a left pattern in the hold.
The altitude of the aircraft may suggest that UVC was not operating as part of Willy ATCs coastal clearance (at least at the time of the incident) and instead was offered tracking direct with a higher altitude (possibly at pilot request) before the crew decided to ditch.