Light Aircraft down in Oxfordshire (Merged)
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Pilot of UKIP crashed plane threatened to kill CAA investigator !
From the Daily Mail;
Pilot of Nigel Farage crash plane is charged with threatening to kill him | Mail Online
Pilot of UKIP leader Nigel Farage crash plane is charged with threatening to kill him and air investigator
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:55 AM on 1st December 2010
The pilot of the plane which crashed and injured Nigel Farage has been charged with threatening to kill the politician.
Justin Adams, who was at the controls of the light aircraft which slammed into a field on General Election day in May, seriously injuring the UK Independence Party's now leader, has been remanded in custody.
The 45-year-old airman has also been charged with threatening to kill the official who investigated the dramatic accident.
A seriously injured Nigel Farage is seen being helped from the wreckage of the plane shortly after it crashed on May 6
Adams was at the controls of the Polish-made Wilga 35A, with Mr Farage sitting alongside him, when it suddenly nose-dived to earth during a party-political stunt on the morning of May 6.
Amazingly Mr Farage managed to walk from the scene, as pictured in graphic images from the time, while Adams was trapped in the mangled wreckage.
The seriously injured pilot remained conscious and was later airlifted from the scene, in Hinton-on-the-Hedges, near Brackley, Northamptonshire, to hospital in Coventry.
A probe by the Air Accident Investigation Branch of the Department of Transport found the crash was caused by the campaign banner the plane had been trailing.
Pilot Justin Adams (left) has been charged with threatening to kill Mr Farage and the official who investigated the accident. This picture was taken just minutes before the plane took off
The ropes used to tow the giant slogan, reading: 'Vote for your country: Vote UKIP', had become caught on the tail of the lightweight aircraft, forcing it into a dive.
Earlier the plane had had to make a number of low-level passes before it was able to collect the banner from a special harness.
Adams was brought before magistrates in Oxford and spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.
He was arrested on Sunday after calls were made to the police, alleging that on November 26 he threatened to kill Mr Farage and that on Sunday he similarly threatened Civil Aviation Authority investigator Martin James.
The business owner, wearing a blue fleece and jeans, did not enter a plea to either charge.
He was remanded in custody and ordered to appear at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday next week.
Adams, who had been living in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, but has since moved to the village of Buckland, Oxon, ran a firm called Sky Banners.
At the time of the crash Mr Farage, who has a fear of flying, was making a last-ditch attempt to win over voters as he fought to boot House of Commons Speaker John Bercow MP out of his Buckingham seat.
The controversial politician, who previously led UKIP from 2006 to 2009, stepped down from the role to concentrate on his campaign.
However, his supporters delivered the news to him in hospital that he had come third with only 8,401 votes.
He then resumed the leadership of the party on November 5 this year.
Following the publication of the crash report, the 46-year-old said: 'I think the conclusion is the best for everyone. It was an accident, there we are, these things happen in life.
'I give thanks to the fact I got through it.
'I have never liked flying - always hated it, although I have done a fair bit of it as an MEP.
'Part of the flight on May 6 was an attempt to challenge my demons. Look how that ended up.'
He added: 'I wish the pilot the best of luck in his recovery. I know he's had several operations and was not in a good way at all.'
Pilot of Nigel Farage crash plane is charged with threatening to kill him | Mail Online
Pilot of UKIP leader Nigel Farage crash plane is charged with threatening to kill him and air investigator
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:55 AM on 1st December 2010
The pilot of the plane which crashed and injured Nigel Farage has been charged with threatening to kill the politician.
Justin Adams, who was at the controls of the light aircraft which slammed into a field on General Election day in May, seriously injuring the UK Independence Party's now leader, has been remanded in custody.
The 45-year-old airman has also been charged with threatening to kill the official who investigated the dramatic accident.
A seriously injured Nigel Farage is seen being helped from the wreckage of the plane shortly after it crashed on May 6Adams was at the controls of the Polish-made Wilga 35A, with Mr Farage sitting alongside him, when it suddenly nose-dived to earth during a party-political stunt on the morning of May 6.
Amazingly Mr Farage managed to walk from the scene, as pictured in graphic images from the time, while Adams was trapped in the mangled wreckage.
The seriously injured pilot remained conscious and was later airlifted from the scene, in Hinton-on-the-Hedges, near Brackley, Northamptonshire, to hospital in Coventry.
A probe by the Air Accident Investigation Branch of the Department of Transport found the crash was caused by the campaign banner the plane had been trailing.
Pilot Justin Adams (left) has been charged with threatening to kill Mr Farage and the official who investigated the accident. This picture was taken just minutes before the plane took offThe ropes used to tow the giant slogan, reading: 'Vote for your country: Vote UKIP', had become caught on the tail of the lightweight aircraft, forcing it into a dive.
Earlier the plane had had to make a number of low-level passes before it was able to collect the banner from a special harness.
Adams was brought before magistrates in Oxford and spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.
He was arrested on Sunday after calls were made to the police, alleging that on November 26 he threatened to kill Mr Farage and that on Sunday he similarly threatened Civil Aviation Authority investigator Martin James.
The business owner, wearing a blue fleece and jeans, did not enter a plea to either charge.
He was remanded in custody and ordered to appear at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday next week.
Adams, who had been living in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, but has since moved to the village of Buckland, Oxon, ran a firm called Sky Banners.
At the time of the crash Mr Farage, who has a fear of flying, was making a last-ditch attempt to win over voters as he fought to boot House of Commons Speaker John Bercow MP out of his Buckingham seat.
The controversial politician, who previously led UKIP from 2006 to 2009, stepped down from the role to concentrate on his campaign.
However, his supporters delivered the news to him in hospital that he had come third with only 8,401 votes.
He then resumed the leadership of the party on November 5 this year.
Following the publication of the crash report, the 46-year-old said: 'I think the conclusion is the best for everyone. It was an accident, there we are, these things happen in life.
'I give thanks to the fact I got through it.
'I have never liked flying - always hated it, although I have done a fair bit of it as an MEP.
'Part of the flight on May 6 was an attempt to challenge my demons. Look how that ended up.'
He added: 'I wish the pilot the best of luck in his recovery. I know he's had several operations and was not in a good way at all.'
More than just an ATCO
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Pilot charged after UKIP leader's plane crash
Just on BBC News, the pilot of the plane that crashed with the UKIP leader in it in the run-up to the Elections has been charged with threatening to kill Farage and also the leader of the investigation
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What a bizarre development. Is there any suggestion here that by having Nigel Farage on board he may have been conducting illegal public transport?
http://farage.b l o g s p o t . com/2010/12/nf029-02-dec-2010-justin-adams-pilot-in.html
To look at the full blog you'll have to remove the spaces.
To look at the full blog you'll have to remove the spaces.
Justin Adams hung upside down soaked in fuel whilst his arm was trapped against the exhaust burning!
Last edited by Basil; 21st Dec 2010 at 11:54. Reason: To make URL legible.
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Well, that was a very confusing blog and to be honist I can't quite make out the point he is trying to make.
I guess it will all become clear when this finaly comes to court , however, the pilot was due to have had an appearance in Oxford Crown Court before now but nothing has yet been reported in the press.
I guess it will all become clear when this finaly comes to court , however, the pilot was due to have had an appearance in Oxford Crown Court before now but nothing has yet been reported in the press.
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Crash pilot convicted of threatening passenger and investigator
In a rather odd case following on from this event: http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...fordshire.html
The pilot concerned has just been convicted of making threats. The facts are still a lttle unclear but it would appear the stress of having his licence suspended after the crash caused some rather extreme behaviour.
BBC News - Crash pilot guilty of Farage death threats
Not condoning threats of violence but I'm surprised this behaviour didn't merit a plea of diminished responsibility. Even found guilty, at the very least one should expect mitigation.
The pilot concerned has just been convicted of making threats. The facts are still a lttle unclear but it would appear the stress of having his licence suspended after the crash caused some rather extreme behaviour.
BBC News - Crash pilot guilty of Farage death threats
Not condoning threats of violence but I'm surprised this behaviour didn't merit a plea of diminished responsibility. Even found guilty, at the very least one should expect mitigation.
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From The BBC
Jury retires over Nigel Farage crash pilot case
Crash pilot 'threatened' Farage
A jury in the case of a pilot accused of threatening to kill UKIP leader Nigel Farage following a plane crash has retired to consider its verdict.
Justin Adams is charged with making threats relating to Mr Farage and crash investigator Martin James.
Oxford Crown Court heard a telephone call between a police handler and a man calling himself Justin Adams who claimed to have a 9mm pistol.
Mr Adams, 46, of Faringdon, Oxfordshire, denies the five charges.
Both Mr Farage and Mr Adams were injured in the light aircraft crash on 6 May, the day of the 2010 general election, after it nose-dived to the ground while towing a campaign banner in Northamptonshire.
'Rapidly spiralling downhill'
The court heard Mr Adams said he had received media offers to talk about the crash, but it had been suggested to him by Mr Farage that he should not speak until after the conclusion of the investigation in his favour.
He claimed friends later informed him Mr Farage was "generating PR as a result of the crash".
The court heard threats were intended to make those receiving them fear they would be carried out.
Within the conversation between the police call handler and the man calling himself Justin Adams in November last year, he was heard to say: "I know where they live, they destroyed my life."
He later added: "I now have a 9mm pistol, I've got the means - I will take them out and then myself."
Mr Adams told the operator he had lost his livelihood, house, wife and child in the wake of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) investigation, the court heard.
"You need to understand all charges were dropped against me after six or seven months of investigations," he said.
"In the intervening period everything else fell apart."
Giving evidence in his defence, Mr Adams told the jury that after the crash his mental health had been "rapidly spiralling downhill", as his business and personal relationship deteriorated.
He said he felt he was not receiving the help he needed and made the threats "in the belief and hope I would get put inside".
"I could see no other way," he said.
"I made a decision to make these threats purely to get assistance."
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites
Jury retires over Nigel Farage crash pilot case
Crash pilot 'threatened' Farage
A jury in the case of a pilot accused of threatening to kill UKIP leader Nigel Farage following a plane crash has retired to consider its verdict.
Justin Adams is charged with making threats relating to Mr Farage and crash investigator Martin James.
Oxford Crown Court heard a telephone call between a police handler and a man calling himself Justin Adams who claimed to have a 9mm pistol.
Mr Adams, 46, of Faringdon, Oxfordshire, denies the five charges.
Both Mr Farage and Mr Adams were injured in the light aircraft crash on 6 May, the day of the 2010 general election, after it nose-dived to the ground while towing a campaign banner in Northamptonshire.
'Rapidly spiralling downhill'
The court heard Mr Adams said he had received media offers to talk about the crash, but it had been suggested to him by Mr Farage that he should not speak until after the conclusion of the investigation in his favour.
He claimed friends later informed him Mr Farage was "generating PR as a result of the crash".
The court heard threats were intended to make those receiving them fear they would be carried out.
Within the conversation between the police call handler and the man calling himself Justin Adams in November last year, he was heard to say: "I know where they live, they destroyed my life."
He later added: "I now have a 9mm pistol, I've got the means - I will take them out and then myself."
Mr Adams told the operator he had lost his livelihood, house, wife and child in the wake of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) investigation, the court heard.
"You need to understand all charges were dropped against me after six or seven months of investigations," he said.
"In the intervening period everything else fell apart."
Giving evidence in his defence, Mr Adams told the jury that after the crash his mental health had been "rapidly spiralling downhill", as his business and personal relationship deteriorated.
He said he felt he was not receiving the help he needed and made the threats "in the belief and hope I would get put inside".
"I could see no other way," he said.
"I made a decision to make these threats purely to get assistance."
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites
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From the BBC
BBC News - Nigel Farage death threats crash pilot guilty
Nigel Farage death threats crash pilot guilty
Mr Farage was taken to hospital after the crash on election day 2010
Oxford Crown Court heard a telephone call between a police handler and a man calling himself Justin Adams who claimed to have a 9mm pistol.
Adams, 46, of Faringdon, Oxfordshire, denied the five charges.
Both Mr Farage and Adams were injured in the light aircraft crash on 6 May, the day of the 2010 general election, after it nose-dived to the ground while towing a campaign banner in Northamptonshire. They were both taken to hospital.
Sentencing was adjourned until the week commencing 9 May.
'Extremely disturbed'
Remanding Adams in custody, Mr Justice Saunders said the defendant was "clearly extremely disturbed" at the time the offences happened.
He added: "He is a man who does need help. If I can find a way of giving him help I will."
Adams thought Mr Farage was "generating PR" from the crash
Mr Farage said after the verdict: "From beginning to end, this is a very, very sad case indeed.
"It's been my belief all the way through that what Mr Adams needs is help and I don't really believe from our mental health services that he's received that."
The court heard Adams said he had received media offers to talk about the crash, but it had been suggested to him by Mr Farage that he should not speak until after the conclusion of the investigation in his favour.
He claimed friends later informed him Mr Farage was "generating PR as a result of the crash".
The court heard threats were intended to make those receiving them fear they would be carried out.
Within the conversation between the police call handler and the man calling himself Justin Adams in November last year, he was heard to say: "I know where they live, they destroyed my life."
'No other way'
He later added: "I now have a 9mm pistol, I've got the means - I will take them out and then myself."
Adams told the operator he had lost his livelihood, house, wife and child in the wake of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) investigation, the court heard.
Giving evidence in his defence, Adams told the jury that after the crash his mental health had been "rapidly spiralling downhill", as his business and personal relationship deteriorated.
He said he felt he was not receiving the help he needed and made the threats "in the belief and hope I would get put inside".
"I could see no other way," he said.
"I made a decision to make these threats purely to get assistance."
BBC News - Nigel Farage death threats crash pilot guilty
Nigel Farage death threats crash pilot guilty
Mr Farage was taken to hospital after the crash on election day 2010 Oxford Crown Court heard a telephone call between a police handler and a man calling himself Justin Adams who claimed to have a 9mm pistol.
Adams, 46, of Faringdon, Oxfordshire, denied the five charges.
Both Mr Farage and Adams were injured in the light aircraft crash on 6 May, the day of the 2010 general election, after it nose-dived to the ground while towing a campaign banner in Northamptonshire. They were both taken to hospital.
Sentencing was adjourned until the week commencing 9 May.
'Extremely disturbed'
Remanding Adams in custody, Mr Justice Saunders said the defendant was "clearly extremely disturbed" at the time the offences happened.
He added: "He is a man who does need help. If I can find a way of giving him help I will."
Adams thought Mr Farage was "generating PR" from the crash Mr Farage said after the verdict: "From beginning to end, this is a very, very sad case indeed.
"It's been my belief all the way through that what Mr Adams needs is help and I don't really believe from our mental health services that he's received that."
The court heard Adams said he had received media offers to talk about the crash, but it had been suggested to him by Mr Farage that he should not speak until after the conclusion of the investigation in his favour.
He claimed friends later informed him Mr Farage was "generating PR as a result of the crash".
The court heard threats were intended to make those receiving them fear they would be carried out.
Within the conversation between the police call handler and the man calling himself Justin Adams in November last year, he was heard to say: "I know where they live, they destroyed my life."
'No other way'
He later added: "I now have a 9mm pistol, I've got the means - I will take them out and then myself."
Adams told the operator he had lost his livelihood, house, wife and child in the wake of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) investigation, the court heard.
Giving evidence in his defence, Adams told the jury that after the crash his mental health had been "rapidly spiralling downhill", as his business and personal relationship deteriorated.
He said he felt he was not receiving the help he needed and made the threats "in the belief and hope I would get put inside".
"I could see no other way," he said.
"I made a decision to make these threats purely to get assistance."
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Was there any evidence given that Farage turned up on the day with a banner larger than that which the pilot had originally indicated was the biggest he could safely tow?
If Farage then insisted that the stunt must still go ahead because the election would not wait then you can see how the pilot might harbour a grudge. Having said that if the pilot believe that then he should certainly never have agreed to take Farage up in the plane with him.
Also threatening to kill the crash investigator (clearly only doing their job whereas one can see why the pilot might have reason to partly hold Farage to blame) and then calling the Police about the death threats does suggest that the balance of his mind was affected.
Also is Farage sueing this guy for personal injury or psychological trauma as presumably he has no valid insurance cover given that he was clearly in breach of his operating licence in carrying a passenger?
If Farage then insisted that the stunt must still go ahead because the election would not wait then you can see how the pilot might harbour a grudge. Having said that if the pilot believe that then he should certainly never have agreed to take Farage up in the plane with him.
Also threatening to kill the crash investigator (clearly only doing their job whereas one can see why the pilot might have reason to partly hold Farage to blame) and then calling the Police about the death threats does suggest that the balance of his mind was affected.
Also is Farage sueing this guy for personal injury or psychological trauma as presumably he has no valid insurance cover given that he was clearly in breach of his operating licence in carrying a passenger?
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Actually, when you read the Judges comments I see some real humanity in his comments.
The Jury have discharged their duty and it seems the facts were not disputed just the cause and motivation.
Hopefully justice will be seen to have been done and then the medical help he needs will be given.
Mental illness shouldn't be swept under the carpet nor used against someone undergoing a life changing crisis. I hope that the outcome suits both the crime and the punishment.
Sir George Cayley
The Jury have discharged their duty and it seems the facts were not disputed just the cause and motivation.
Hopefully justice will be seen to have been done and then the medical help he needs will be given.
Mental illness shouldn't be swept under the carpet nor used against someone undergoing a life changing crisis. I hope that the outcome suits both the crime and the punishment.
Sir George Cayley
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Actually, when you read the Judges comments I see some real humanity in his comments.
The Jury have discharged their duty and it seems the facts were not disputed just the cause and motivation.
Hopefully justice will be seen to have been done and then the medical help he needs will be given.
Mental illness shouldn't be swept under the carpet nor used against someone undergoing a life changing crisis. I hope that the outcome suits both the crime and the punishment.
Sir George Cayley
The Jury have discharged their duty and it seems the facts were not disputed just the cause and motivation.
Hopefully justice will be seen to have been done and then the medical help he needs will be given.
Mental illness shouldn't be swept under the carpet nor used against someone undergoing a life changing crisis. I hope that the outcome suits both the crime and the punishment.
Sir George Cayley
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Latest from Oxford Mail ;
Farage death threat case adjourned (From Oxford Mail)
Farage death threat case adjourned
11:50am Monday 9th May 2011
By George Gaynor
The pilot of a plane which crashed and injured Ukip leader Nigel Farage during an election day stunt was told by a judge to expect a suspended sentence for making threats to kill.
Justin Adams, 46, from Buckland, near Faringdon, was due to be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court, but his case was adjourned for further reports to be made.
The crash on May 6 2010, in which the light aircraft nose-dived to the ground while towing a campaign banner, left both Adams and Mr Farage in hospital.
Adams was found guilty on April 14 by a jury of five counts of making threats to kill relating to Mr Farage and Civil Aviation Authority crash investigator Martin James after a three-day trial.
He has been in custody since the end of the trial.
Judge Mr Justice Saunders was asked by Alistair Grainger, defending, if the case could be adjourned while a report concerning the defendant's problem with alcohol is compiled, and the judge agreed.
The judge said an assessment needed to take place to find out if a treatment programme for alcohol should be a term of a suspended sentence order.
He told Adams: "I have already given the indication that I will pass a suspended sentence of imprisonment. However, things can change if I hear about any more threats."
Adams was remanded in custody until June 10, when he will be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court.
Mr Farage did not attend court.
Farage death threat case adjourned (From Oxford Mail)
Farage death threat case adjourned
11:50am Monday 9th May 2011
By George Gaynor
The pilot of a plane which crashed and injured Ukip leader Nigel Farage during an election day stunt was told by a judge to expect a suspended sentence for making threats to kill.
Justin Adams, 46, from Buckland, near Faringdon, was due to be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court, but his case was adjourned for further reports to be made.
The crash on May 6 2010, in which the light aircraft nose-dived to the ground while towing a campaign banner, left both Adams and Mr Farage in hospital.
Adams was found guilty on April 14 by a jury of five counts of making threats to kill relating to Mr Farage and Civil Aviation Authority crash investigator Martin James after a three-day trial.
He has been in custody since the end of the trial.
Judge Mr Justice Saunders was asked by Alistair Grainger, defending, if the case could be adjourned while a report concerning the defendant's problem with alcohol is compiled, and the judge agreed.
The judge said an assessment needed to take place to find out if a treatment programme for alcohol should be a term of a suspended sentence order.
He told Adams: "I have already given the indication that I will pass a suspended sentence of imprisonment. However, things can change if I hear about any more threats."
Adams was remanded in custody until June 10, when he will be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court.
Mr Farage did not attend court.
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A pilot found guilty of threatening to kill UKIP leader Nigel Farage following a plane crash has been given a two-year supervised community order.
BBC News - Nigel Farage death threat crash pilot given community order
BBC News - Nigel Farage death threat crash pilot given community order