Originally Posted by
Bigt
Seem to recall it was a Brittany Ferries charter to bring some passengers back to UK from Santander due to delays with a ferry into Plymouth.
Correct. The Santander-Plymouth RORO ship had broken down in harbour, and Alidair got a rush job from its operator to move the passengers. The aircraft positioned down to Santander, and then was detailed for two trips to Exeter, returning empty after the first trip. The accident happened at the end of the second trip. There had been a crew change at Exeter, but I don't believe this was an Alidair base so the accident crew had possibly driven down from the Midlands. Both northwards flights were full, so not certain if further rotations were planned.
I also seem to recall recall that both the fuel gauges were deferred, and that fuel gauges on this 700 series Viscount were regarded as a bit of a hopeless case. On this flight they regularly fluctuated from full to empty and back again as the flight progressed.