Light Twin down off Ronaldsway

[40KTSOFFOG]

BBC Radio has just announced a light twin down one mile east off Ronaldsway. Any up-dates?

[gul dukat]

06/06 (15:26) PILOT MISSING AS PLANE DITCHES IN SEA


By Harriet Tolputt, PA News

A pilot is missing after he ditched his twin-engined plane into the sea one mile from the runway, the coastguard said today.

The five seater aircraft disappeared off the radar screens as it approached Ronaldsway Airport on the Isle of Man from the east.

A spokesman for Liverpool coastguard said: "We believe the plane, which had one person on board, was travelling towards the airport but we are still trying to find out where it was from.

"At the moment we have a rescue helicopter on scene and two lifeboats, a rescue boat and a couple of commercial fast craft."

The plane ditched into the Irish Sea at 2.30pm. There was no immediate sign of the wreckage or pilot.


The American-registered plane had taken off from Ronaldsway Airport this afternoon.

Airport director Philip Pain said: "The plane took off from here at 2.20pm bound for Gloucester. He had been gone about 10 minutes and the pilot radioed to say there was some sort of problem and was given clearance to return.

"Subsequently wreckage and an oil slick was found offshore."

Mr Pain said the pilot had been in radio contact with the airport before the plane ditched into the sea.

A rescue operation was under way, as was a search for the pilot.

from aol news!!

[Norman Goering]

Apparently a Beech, light twin of some sort. Owner/operator allegedly from Isle of Man. Wreckage indicates high impact crash, rather than controlled ditching. Reports of pilot's body being found.

Wx here (EGNS) has been absolutely appalling all day. Not a day for any kind of failures to deal with.

[G-SKIP]

Pilot has been named as Brian Newton, 55, Company Director, living in Bradden.

Thoughts are with the family

[staff west]

My thoughts exactly.

What with the receny airshow fatalities. Its been a bad moth so far.