African accident

[FullyFlapped]

There was an article in the press on Sunday about a Cessna 210 going down somewhere near Angel Falls. The report said that 20 mins into the flight, the pilot put out a Mayday due to an "oil leak" and then "the propeller fell off". Finally the poor guy hit some trees whilst trying to force land and I think all aboard were lost. Another terrible tragedy, and our thoughts will no doubt go out to those who have lost loved ones as usual.

I know press reporting of aviation matters is largely dubious, but even so, this business about the prop "falling off" ... if it's true, what (aside from it not being fastened on properly) could cause this ? Any 210 experts out there ? Can anyone shed any light on this case ?

FF

[distaff_beancounter]

The report in the The Mail on Sunday mentioned much the same, but also added "the pilot was attempting to crash-land".

Why, why oh why, does the media have to use this emotive phrase when, presumably the correct report should have been "the pilot was attempting a forced landing without power."

RIP

[jimbo jet set]

distaff,
cos they're the press and thats what sells papers. Scum the lot of them. And before some doo gooding press member tries to reply and justify jazzing up this sad matter to sell more of their papers- don't bother- we all know what most people think of them all and it won't change!

RIP

[bcfc]

Sent to me via an SA contact...


By Danielle Gusmaroli and Mike Behr

Livingstone - A British couple celebrating their seventh wedding anniversary were killed when their light aircraft crashed after a flight over Victoria Falls.

Rebecca and Justin Ward were returning from the popular tourist spot when the plane developed technical problems.

The Canadian pilot of the Cessna 210 made a mayday call to report an oil leak about 20 minutes after takeoff, and then the propeller fell off, causing the plane to plunge to the ground.

He attempted a crash-landing in a field near the Zambian village of Zimba, but the plane crashed into trees and exploded into flames.

The couple, three Australian friends and the pilot were killed instantly.

Rebecca Ward, 26, ran a recruitment agency, and her 27-year-old husband, Justin, worked as a window cleaner. They lived in Uxbridge, Middlesex.

The childhood sweethearts had spent months planning the adventure holiday in Zambia, which included a safari.

Shannon Farmer, 50, who was travelling with the couple but did not take the flight, said: "We all arrived at camp together when Justin and Rebecca found out they could charter a flight to the waterfalls. They were really excited as it was something they had wanted to do for a long time. "

Rebecca's close friend and business partner, Fiona Sheridan, 33, said: "We are all in shock. Rebecca was a special, extremely kind-hearted person. She had known Justin since she was 15 and it was pretty much love at first sight.

"Justin was a big kid who loved adventures and lived for his holidays. Rebecca's parents are numb with grief. The whole thing is so raw."

Zambian civil aviation officials confirmed that the six-seater plane had recently been serviced and that no faults had been reported at the time. - Independent Foreign Service