Yak UK Ltd statement
Isn't it predictable that even a respected publication like Pilot magazine can print a statement with the same accuracy as a tabloid newspaper.
The article on pilotweb, The statement says the accident occourred in December 2002, The crash actually occourred on January 5th 2003.
The statement also quotes the AAIB as stating that the pilot was the last person to "handle" the screwdriver. The quote from the report is reproduced below.
The loose article found in G-YAKW was a short-handled flat-bladed screwdriver. Although the most likely source of the screwdriver was during maintenance in November 2002, what is not known and could not be established is how the screwdriver found its way into the aircraft. Screwdrivers of this type are used by pilots to carry out normal routine servicing on the aircraft. All the other pilots who flew the aircraft from November 2002 however were able to account for their tools used for this purpose, and the 'Swiss Army' knife normally used by the pilot involved in the accident was recovered. DNA testing however, showed that the pilot had come into contact with the screwdriver at some point prior to the accident but it could not be established when or how this occurred.
For the record, please also note that the pilot killed in the crash had not visited Yak UK Ltd for any reason including delivering or collecting the aircraft.
The trainee who lost the screwdriver told the inquest that the last time he had seen the screwdriver was to open a tin of paint.
Last edited by plussixpointfive; 12th Nov 2006 at 11:00.
Reason: not able to verify a date for the moment