Light aircraft down near Sibson
 

Getting reports here of the A1 closed at Wansford due to a light aircraft accident close to Sibson Airfield.

Hope all are ok.

Adam

UPDATE: A1 closed in both directions due to the aircraft hitting power lines beside the A1:bored:

Oh !!!!, I'm learning at Sibson and am there tomorrow :( Sincerely hope there are no injuries but that doesn't sound good....

Easily done, the under run area for 24 is a noticeable slope up onto the flat of the main runway, which combined with the comedy-short nature of the marked length makes it all to easy to drop below the 300+ft you need to safely clear the pylons.

Hope all survive unscathed, truth be known 24/06 makes Sibson a tricky little airfield.

Peterborough Sibson Airfield Information

Warns of power lines on approach to runway 24 but I've no idea if these are the same ones.

Aside: The energy companies are looking at sites for wind farms in this general area, in particular where power lines are close to main roads such as the A14 or A1. Have heard a microlight club has lost it's field recently in this area.

Almost certainly, the lines cross the A1 directly along the centreline of 24, they are a very prominent feature of the approach and when the website says "The airfield is PPR as it is essential that visitors are briefed to the airfield characteristics and activity. " the first thing that will be highlighted are the power lines. (The trees off the end of 24 and the lack of overhead due to meat bombing will also get a mention)

Yes they are the same ones. The approach is tricky and I'm really enjoying the challenge of learning on it, other airfields should seem easy in comparison.

300ft is really the minimum over the pylons, I tend to stay more around 400ft but it does make for a steep descent. That, along with the upwards slope at the start of the runway and the trees at the other end make it interest.

Not looking good, it's being reported now that the pilot is feared dead :(

Cambridge News | Latest News Headlines From Cambridge City & Cambridgeshire | National News By Cambridge News | Light aircraft crash closes part of A1

Very sad news, I'm just hoping it's no one I know.

A very nasty comment at the end of this report: Cambridge News | Latest News Headlines From Cambridge City & Cambridgeshire | National News By Cambridge News | Light aircraft crash closes part of A1

A very sad incident and as you say Fenland Flyer a disgusting comment below.
Keeping 100ft over the cables would give a nice stable decent. It could be intimidating to the new visitor. But a great little airfield to operate into.
Where I learnt to fly many many years ago.

Sorry why is it only a matter of time?
The cables are about a mile away from the field and on lower ground.

This is now being reported as the only occupant the pilot was killed. Sad news indeed.

BBC News - Plane crash kills pilot near Sibson Airfield

The cables cross the A1 about 0.4 miles from the threshold. Assuming the tower is about 100' high, that gives an approach slope of slightly under 3°.

The cables are about 0.7 from the actual threshold, where the two runways cross. You don't land until after the numbers on 24. And you should be off the ground by the tower if taking off on 06
Sibson is a fine field, particularly for training. After that you can get into and out of most places.

3 deg is CAT stuff not GA.

Having previously flown (and previously worked) at Sibbo for many years it isn't quite as bad as some might make out.

To the best of my knowledge it's the first time anyone has hit the powerlines there - a normal approach keeps you well clear of them.

Agreed, it wasn't a matter of time at all.

Whilst being a slightly tricky approach it's still perfectly safe and managable. Anyone that knows Sibson is aware of the pylons and anyone visiting should have had full instructions when requesting PPR.

It'll be interesting to know if this was simply pilot error, or if some form of mechanical failure preventing him maintaining proper altitude....

Edit: Just measured up on google maps, I reckon the power lines are approx 0.3m from the start of the runway, and about 0.5m from the number 24 where you aim to touch down.

I've tried to comment on that disgusting Cambridge news page - but my comment hasn't appeared. Perhaps it has to be moderated first - if so, how the hell did that one get through?

Tim

I have "and a few others have tried as well" to post a reply to that comment but nothing seems to appear ! He probably had someone else post that comment for him as he doesn't sound like the shiniest spanner in the tool box

Austerwobbler

If it's moderated, perhaps they've all gone home. Or they've sensed a strong reaction to the first post and decided not to put any more on until the boss has seen it.

I tried to comment too but it is yet to appear - they're all off for the weekend no doubt.

Does anyone know the aircraft type/reg? Very sad

Re: comments on press pages.
You can't worry too much about this, you will always get the kid sitting in his bedroom knowing that he can post stupidity without detection.
I do wonder, however, why both the press and the BBC put a place for replies at the end of news items, they are always littered with rubbish like this.