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Report on aircraft crash released | Report on aircraft crash released |
(1 day later) | |
A probe into a light aircraft crash on Cairn Gorm has reported that the pilot was not qualified to fly in the conditions in which he found himself. | A probe into a light aircraft crash on Cairn Gorm has reported that the pilot was not qualified to fly in the conditions in which he found himself. |
Gary Key, 45, who died in the accident, was trying to get from the UK to Florida when he crashed into the mountain in April 2008. | |
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it had been snowing heavily. | The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it had been snowing heavily. |
It said the pilot had had some experience of poor conditions but did not have the relevant qualifications. | It said the pilot had had some experience of poor conditions but did not have the relevant qualifications. |
The AAIB also reported that the aircraft - a Piper Cherokee Lance - had not been cleared to fly in icy conditions. | The AAIB also reported that the aircraft - a Piper Cherokee Lance - had not been cleared to fly in icy conditions. |
It had been previously thought by rescue teams the aircraft was a Piper Saratoga. | It had been previously thought by rescue teams the aircraft was a Piper Saratoga. |
Dead pilots | |
Witnesses on the ground said visibility was poor when the aircraft flew over. | Witnesses on the ground said visibility was poor when the aircraft flew over. |
At the time of the accident, an RAF spokesman said the weather had been horrendous. | At the time of the accident, an RAF spokesman said the weather had been horrendous. |
Conditions were similar to those when rescue teams searched for the dead pilots of two US F-15C fighter jets which crashed in the Cairngorms in 2001. | Conditions were similar to those when rescue teams searched for the dead pilots of two US F-15C fighter jets which crashed in the Cairngorms in 2001. |
Mr Key was attempting to fly from where he lived in Worcestershire, West Midlands, to Florida where he also owned a house. | |
He planned to take his aircraft up through Scotland then across the Atlantic via Iceland and then down the east coast of North America. | |
However, his plane crashed into Cairn Gorm near the funicular mountain railway. | |
The air accident report said that Mr Key's plane iced up and appeared to lose radio contact with air traffic control. | |
He tried to head for Aberdeen but was believed to have became disorientated. | |
The report ruled out mechanical problems, concluding instead that he was not experienced enough to cope with such bad weather which was also beyond the capabilities of the aircraft. |
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