AAIB release report into plane crash on the Surrey / Sussex border

The Air Accident Investigation Branch, based in Farnborough in north east Hampshire, has issued a report on a plane crash on the Surrey / Sussex border.

It's been revealed that the two people who survived the crash lay unconscious for 90 minutes, before the passenger woke up and called for help on the pilot's mobile phone.

The two men, both over 75 years old, had taken off near Horsham to carry out a test flight in order to renew the aircraft’s permit to fly ahead of a potential sale.

Both the pilot, and passenger were knocked out after the plane hit trees near the runway at Jackrell’s Farm airstrip and suffered serious injuries including spinal damage as a result.

According to a newly released Air Accidents Investigation Branch report, witnesses saw the aircraft take off at around 11.15am on October 6 last year with Gatwick Airport’s radar picking it up as it climbed.

When the plane returned it performed a false landing, known in aviation as a go-around, and pulled up but, unable to gain enough altitude, clipped tall trees beyond the runway – causing it to decelerate suddenly and crash into the field beyond.

The flight’s last recorded radar position was at 11.34am and nobody saw the plane come down.

The situation was compounded as the aircraft was operated under a permit to fly, which meant it was not required have an emergency locator transmitter or for a personal locater beacon to be carried.

The report read: “Both occupants were over the age of 75 and at increased risk of fracture.

“The seriousness of the injuries may have been compounded by the delay in alerting rescue services.

“There were no witnesses to the accident, and neither occupant was able to raise the alarm for some time.

“Having regained consciousness and managed to reach the pilot’s mobile phone, the aircraft owner was able to call the emergency services.”

The call, the report said, was made at 1.18pm, more than one and a half hours after the crash – with the air ambulance and other services arriving around two hours after the accident.

The report read: “No person or organisation was alerted to the accident for a significant period.”

The plane was found upright but with most of its right wing missing. Damage could be seen to the trees, which were approximately 15m tall.

The outer portion of the right wing was found on the opposite side of the tree line, with some small parts of the aircraft found in the trees.

The passenger, who owned the plane, was able to recall to the investigation team that the aircraft was high and fast on its approach and that a “go-around” had started but this could not be verified, as the pilot had no recollection of the flight.

The investigation found no mechanical or technical cause for the accident but noted the aircraft’s ability to climb, according to radar, had been less than what would be expected.

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