While browsing the hometown rag
Death crash pilot 'may have taken cannabis' - News - Stockport Express
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
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.