Air Accidents Investigation Branch
During a cross-country flight under Visual Flight Rules from Watchford Farm in Somerset, the pilot found himself stuck above cloud. After contacting the Distress & Diversion (D&D) Cell for assistance he was transferred to the radar frequency of a nearby airport, at which the cloud base was below the minimum required for the approach offered. The pilot, who was not qualified to fly in cloud, lost control of the aircraft during the subsequent descent and the aircraft was destroyed when it hit a tree. Both the pilot and the passenger were fatally injured.
The investigation found that air traffic service providers did not obtain or exchange sufficient information about the aircraft and its pilot to enable adequate assistance to be provided. There was an absence of active decision making by those providers, and uncertainty between units about their respective roles and responsibilities.
The investigation identified shortcomings in the system in place in the UK to provide emergency support to aircraft in distress. As a result of the investigation, seven Safety Recommendations have been made, five to the Civil Aviation Authority and two to the Department for Transport, which will also be addressed by the Military Aviation Authority that oversees the D&D Cell.
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