A few years ago, I was sat in the Flying Club drinking a cup of tea and talking to a few other Pilots. After about 15 - 20 mins, two gents left to go and get their aircraft ready and I went to find my instructor as I had a lesson booked.
Whilst I was doing my external checks, they took off and about 10 minutes later I heard the crash alarm go off, shortly followed by an aircraft flying over with one of it's main gear missing and some flames underneath - It had clearly been involved in a mid-air collision.
I got in the aircraft and heard over the radio that the Pilot had collided with the aircraft with the two gents on board, that I had been speaking to only 30 minutes earlier... They lost all control of the aircraft and it crashed in a farmers field - they didn't stand a chance.
My flying lesson turned in to a Search & Rescue flight to help the Emergency Services locate the wreckage.
Not pleasant and not something i'll forget - I was 16/17 at the time.
Last edited by Scott C; 26th Oct 2013 at 15:41.