AAIB update 21/12/15
Everyone seems fixated on this being a pilot error. When looking at this report I would query the condition of the aircraft and what has or hasn't been done to it.
I also have a query about the hrs. According to the AAN dated 1997 the airframe had done 5566hrs and the engine had 130 remaining of 450 hrs life. Does this mean in 1997 the engine had done 320 hrs.
The sale advert around 2011 (as it states service due Jan12, seat cartridges due Jan2013) the airframe is on 5931 hrs and the engine 351 hrs.
If this is the case the airframe has done 365 hrs between 1997 and 2011 but the engine has only done 31 hrs.
Are seat cartridges given a unique serial number by the maker, so that they can confirm manufacture date and to which aircraft they were supplied and fitted to. I note that the cartridges were replaced in Nov2012 by North Weald but were due to expire Jun/Jul 2014. so only valid for about 18months not the 2yrs installed due to manufacture date. So where were the cartridges between 2008 and fitment in 2012, could they have been put in another aircraft and already been used. As it would appear cartridges are made to order hence lead time of 52 weeks, I have doubts that these were sitting around unused for 4 yrs!