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Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Pilot 'switched hands on controls' before crashing light aircraft on busy A road
The Grob 109B motorglider aircraft crashed on to a busy A road outside Aston Down airfield in Gloucestershire last summer with the AAIB blaming pilot error A pilot crashed a light aircraft injuring both men on board after confusing his left and right hands, an Air Accident Investigation Branch report has found. The Grob 109B motorglider aircraft crashed on to a busy A road outside Aston Down airfield in Gloucestershire last summer with the passenger suffering significant spinal injuries that left him in hospital for several days. The aircraft owner Christopher Tooze, 70, was flying with someone who according to the report had "a significant profile within the gliding world". Mr Tooze allowed him to take the controls. The AAIB report said "inappropriate control inputs" by the passenger that caused the crash. It read: "The passenger was in the right seat, so for this phase of flight had his right hand on the control column and his left hand on the engine controls." "The passenger stated that he had no intention of trying to land the aircraft. However, he continued to fly through the turn onto final approach with his right hand on the control column. "The intent was to make an approach in gliding mode, with engine at idle power and the rate of descent controlled by the airbrakes. "After the final turn he swapped his left hand to the control column and operated the airbrakes with his right hand. The approach was made at an airspeed of 60-70 kt." The report states that the passenger was sat in the right back seat and should have had his left hand on the control column and right hand on the airbrake. "The pilot made no effort to take control from the passenger nor did the passenger say to the pilot 'you have control'," the report states. The report added: "The pilot was able to get out of the aircraft, but the passenger was extracted by ambulance paramedics." There was no evidence of a technical problem in the Grob, the report confirmed. Although it concluded that "the aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair". At the time of the incident in August last year, emergency services were scrambled to help the stricken pair and drivers who had seen the plane come down in front of them. An eyewitness said that it "looked like it stalled and nose dived into the main road". A Gloucestershire Police spokeswoman said at the time that: "Motorists are advised that road closures are in place while emergency services are in attendance. There were two occupants on board who will be assessed by the ambulance service, and it is understood that no other vehicles were involved."
ITV News
14-07-2025
- ITV News
What we know so far about Southend plane crash which killed four people
Detectives are working to identify and contact the families of the four people who were killed when a medical transport plane crashed at Southend Airport on Sunday. The airport is due to remain closed until further notice as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. The 12-metre long Beechcraft B200 Super King Air crashed just before 4pm on Sunday afternoon, hitting the ground shortly after take-off, with witnesses describing seeing a "fireball". Police confirmed on Monday that all four people on board - all foreign nationals - were killed. They are believed to be a pilot, co-pilot and two nurses. ITV News looks at what is known about the crash so far - and how the investigation will proceed. What happened? Essex Police were called shortly before 4pm on Sunday to reports there had been a collision involving a 12-metre plane, calling it a "serious incident". At a press conference on Monday afternoon, Det Ch Supt Morgan Cronin said the force was working with the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB), RAF, Essex Fire and Rescue Service and Southend Airport to understand what happened. Images posted on social media showed a plume of fire and black smoke rising from the crash site. Eyewitness John Johnson from Billericay, who was at the airport with his family, said he saw a "big fireball" after the plane "crashed head first into the ground". Mr Johnson said the pilots waved at people on the ground, but the plane started to bank heavily to the left three or four seconds after take-off and then "crashed head-first into the ground". He said: "There was a big fireball. Obviously, everybody was in shock in terms of witnessing it. All the kids saw it and the families saw it." Penny, who lives near the airport, told ITV News she saw "horrific" smoke billowing from the site. "It was sickening; it was an awful, horrible feeling to know that had actually happened," she said. "But then you start thinking what if? What if it had spiralled and gone into the houses? What if it had been a bigger plane? You just feel helpless, there's nothing you can do. Just pray for everyone." As a precaution, police said they had evacuated the nearby Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club. Rugby club chairman Pete Jones said this had not been necessary, adding the aircraft went down about 1,000 metres from the clubhouse and that people there could see smoke in the aftermath. How did the plane crash? An entry on the website of the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives states there were two pilots and two passengers on board, all of whom were killed. It said the plane was returning to its base in the Netherlands "following an ambulance flight" from Athens in Greece to Southend. A brief entry on the circumstances of the crash says: "Shortly after takeoff from runway 05 at Southend Airport, while in initial climb, the twin-engine airplane rolled to the left then entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a grassy area nearby the runway, bursting into flames." The AAIB has been at the scene since Sunday, and on Monday it confirmed it was investigating the crash. The Civil Aviation Authority has placed an air exclusion zone around the crash site and the airport will remain closed until further notice. Who was on board the plane? It is understood that the plane was carrying a pilot, a co-pilot and two nurses, having been in the UK on an ambulance trip to deliver a patient. Essex Police said on Monday it was still working to confirm their identities, though the force believes all four were foreign nationals. It is understood the pilots were Dutch and one of the nurses Chilean. On Sunday, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the incident as 'tragic' in a post on X, adding that her 'thoughts are with all those involved' and that she was 'monitoring the situation and closely receiving regular updates'. David Burton-Sampson, Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, told ITV News the incident was "absolutely tragic". He added: "So many people witnessed that in the local area and I'm just as shocked as I think they are. Southend Airport is a really important asset in our community, so to see that happen yesterday was really, really upsetting." Mr Burton-Sampson added it was too early to say what had caused the crash, adding the Air Accident Investigation Branch were on scene. "We need to allow that investigation to happen, and I have every confidence that will give us the answers we need to understand what caused this terrible tragedy," he added. At the press conference on Monday, Southend Airport chief executive Jude Winstanley said he offered "sincere condolences" to the friends and families of those killed and thanked the local community for its support. He confirmed the airport would remain closed until further notice, advising passengers to contact their airline for information and advice. There were scheduled to be 20 easyJet flights and two Eastern Airways flights departing from or arriving at the airport on Monday. Emergency services on scene after 'light aircraft' crash at Southend Airport What do we know about the aircraft? The aircraft was operated by Zeusch Aviation, a firm based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands which confirmed its flight SUZ1 had been involved. The plane had flown from the Greek capital Athens to Pula in Croatia on Sunday before heading to Southend. It was due to return to Lelystad on Sunday evening. The statement said the company was 'actively supporting the authorities with the investigation', adding: 'Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.' The aircraft was described by police as a "12-metre plane", and flight tracking website data appears to show it is a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, a twin-turboprop aircraft. A brochure on Zeusch's website for the specific plane, registered as PH-ZAZ and manufactured in 1994, says it is "a proven performer". "It can take off and land from short runways, and its versatility means that we can have it outfitted for your mission usually in two hours or less." What will the investigation into the crash involve? The Air Accidents Investigation Branch, which investigates air accidents and serious incidents in the UK, deployed six inspectors and engineering support staff shortly before 4.15pm on Sunday and two more inspectors joined the team on Monday. A safety investigation has been launched to understand the circumstances and causes of the crash in parallel with Essex Police's investigation. Lisa Fitzsimons, principal investigator at the AAIB, said at the press conference on Monday: "If there are safety lessons that can be learnt, we will make recommendations that aim to prevent a similar accident occurring. "At this stage it is too early to speculate on what may have caused this tragic accident. "Our focus is on gathering the physical evidence from the site and interviewing witnesses. The remains of the aircraft will then be recovered for further detailed investigation." What was the emergency response? Essex Fire and Rescue Service confirmed five crews from Southend, Rayleigh Weir and Basildon, as well as two off-road vehicles attended. The East of England Ambulance Service said four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, four hazardous area response team vehicles, three senior paramedic cars and an Essex and Herts Air Ambulance were sent to the incident. Essex Police remained at the scene on Monday, where a wide cordon was in place. The force has set up an online portal and phone line for those with information or questions about the incident. Detectives urged people to use these specific channels for any contact about the crash, so that emergency lines could be kept open for other incidents. Det Ch Supt Cronin added: "We are working closely with all at the scene, as well as the Air Accident Investigation Branch, to establish what has happened and why."
Sky News AU
12-06-2025
- General
- Sky News AU
At least 290 people killed in Air India plane crash
An Air India flight bound for London's Gatwick Airport has crashed moments after taking off from the Indian city of Ahmedabad. 242 people were aboard the Boeing 787 - including 53 British nationals. It has been confirmed that one British citizen has miraculously survived and appears to be the only survivor. 50 other bystanders have also been killed in the accident - bringing the death toll to more than 290. The UK's Air Accident Investigation Branch is sending inspectors to India to assist.
STV News
22-05-2025
- General
- STV News
Helicopter blade which broke off in storm 'almost struck worker'
A worker was almost struck by a broken helicopter rotor blade during a storm in the North Sea. A report by the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) found the the Airbus H175 helicopter had landed with six passengers onboard on Elgin-Franklin's PUQ platform, which is more than 100 miles east of Aberdeen, on February 17, 2023, during Storm Otto. The helicopter, which the report described as being 'rocked' during the strong winds, did not take off for its return flight due to a warning light and after speaking with engineers, crew were advised to shut the aircraft down. They applied the brake to stop the rotor from spinning but it 'did not fully stop', resulting in crew attempting to strap the vehicle down amid high winds with the blades still 'turning slowly'. Staff were forced to retreat as wind speeds increased and a blade broke off, nearly striking one worker who was attempting to attach the final strap at the rear of the helicopter. The rotor blade separated from the machine and fell into the sea, while the three remaining blades broke off and landed on the helipad. A ship later took the helicopter back to the mainland. In its external report the AAIB described how the helicopter's rotor brake had failed, meaning the blades continued to slowly rotate after landing which preventing workers from easily strapping it down in the stormy conditions. It was subsequently found that a 'build-up of organic material' in the braking system had caused one of the pads to seize, resulting in the brake being unable to stop the rotor when it was being driven by the wind. The AAIB said it had found 'several operational shortcomings' and faults, and has made six recommendations to improve safety, including improved rotor brake maintenance and changes to wind measurement on rig helipads. The report's recommendations include changes to wind measurement on rig helipads and the inclusion of improved rotor brake maintenance processes in the Airbus EC175 manual. Storm Otto caused power cuts to around 27,000 homes and shut dozens of schools across Scotland and northern England, recording winds as high as 80mph. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Western Telegraph
22-05-2025
- General
- Western Telegraph
Broken helicopter blade ‘narrowly missed' worker on oil rig, report finds
According to an Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report, the Airbus H175 helicopter had just ferried six passengers to the Elgin Oil Platform – about 135 nautical miles east of Aberdeen – and had landed shortly after 8am on February 17, 2023 in winds of up to 60 knots. While the crew were preparing the vehicle for its return flight, a warning alert appeared in the cockpit, and after speaking with engineers the crew were advised to shut the vehicle down. They applied the brake to stop the rotor from spinning but it 'did not fully stop', resulting in the vehicle's commander and two members of the helideck team having to tie the vehicle down in high winds with the blades still 'turning slowly'. With the blades still turning above, one of the blades suddenly lifted near vertical, partially breaking off near the root Air Accident Investigation Branch report The report explained that by about 9.30am, three 'tie-down straps' had been applied and the fourth was about to be attached when one of the turning blades suddenly 'lifted near vertical'. It said: 'With the blades still turning above, one of the blades suddenly lifted near vertical, partially breaking off near the root with the broken portion hanging down and continuing to turn. 'As it did so, it narrowly missed the single deck crew member positioned at the rear of the helicopter, who was trying to attach the final strap to the helicopter. 'The blade then separated and fell into the sea.' At this point the crew decided it was too dangerous and retreated back into the rig's accommodation block, and over the next one hour 40 minutes three of the remaining four blades also broke and were later found on the helideck. The helicopter showed 'multiple impact marks' from where blades had struck it, including cracks and holes in the left pilot seat's window and the loss of the external emergency door handle. The report sets out a number of causes for the incident, as well as making six safety recommendations. The helipad on the platform is situated above the accommodation block (Total Energies E&P UK Limited/AAIB/PA) It notes that at about 6.45am while the helicopter was being towed out of the hangar in Aberdeen, ground staff had noticed the rotor was turning despite the brake being applied. However the engineering staff said they had not been made aware of this so no checks were carried out prior to the aircraft taking off. It was subsequently found that a 'build-up of organic material' in the braking system had caused one of the pads to seize, resulting in the brake being unable to stop the rotor when it was being driven by the wind. The report also comments on the effect of the high winds from Storm Otto, which was passing through the area at the time. It states while measured wind speeds on the helipad were below the 60 knot limit for landing a helicopter, the windward edge of the helipad was 'subject to vertical wind speeds considerably in excess of the limit in force at the time'. This was due, it said, to the 'cliff edge' effect caused by the accommodation block on which the pad had been built, which pushed winds up vertically when they hit the block and made them stronger as they passed over the pad. Coupled with the fact it had not been possible to tie the turning blades down, this resulted in 'blade sailing', with the helicopter's blades being bent upwards by the wind in an 'ever-increasing arc' until they reached breaking point. The report's recommendations include changes to wind measurement on rig helipads and the inclusion of improved rotor brake maintenance processes in the Airbus EC175 manual.
