A pilot crash-landed into the sea off Pembrokeshire after an engine failure to avoid hitting people on the crowded beach. A report into the incident last September said an examination of the engine did not conclusively determine the cause of its failure. The 53-year-old was pulled from the aircraft at Whitesands Bay. The St Davids Beach is a hotspot for families and surfers. The pilot escaped with minor injuries. The experienced pilot - who had 339 hours of flying time under his belt - had recently received coaching on conducting forced landings. … [Read more...] about Pilot crash-landed in sea to avoid people on Pembrokeshire beach
Crash landed
Amazing real-life story of the female Spitfire pilot who lived to 101 after surviving Nazi bombs and crash landings
EVERYONE has heard of 'The Few' - but the amazing story of Mary Ellis deserves just as much recognition. A true trailblazer, she was one of the first women to fly Spitfires, heavy bombers AND jet fighters in World War Two. Her amazing story of surviving Nazi bombs and crash landings came to light following her death at the age of 101 in July last year. Born Mary Wilkins in 1917 on her family’s farm near Leafield, Oxfordshire, she grew up close to RAF bases at Bicester and Port Meadow. She once recalled being interested in aeroplanes "from almost the year dot," adding that her father had once paid a flying circus to take her on a pleasure flight. Mary said: "I think that sealed my fate forever." As a teenager, she started flying lessons at Witney airfield and when war broke out she was keen to do her bit for her country. She joined the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) for female pilots in 1941, aged 26, after responding to a radio appeal. The organisation employed civilians … [Read more...] about Amazing real-life story of the female Spitfire pilot who lived to 101 after surviving Nazi bombs and crash landings
Rare duck fights back to health after crash landing near Horsham
A rare duck which was injured when it was blown off course and crash landed in a garden near Horsham has now fought its way back to health. The bird - a common scoter or sea duck - was discovered in the garden of a house in Broadbridge Heath on November 27.A worried caller rang the RSPCA who rescued the injured duck and took it to a wildlife centre in Hastings where it was given lots of tender loving care. Now it has recovered enough to be released into the wild where it is hoped it will team up with others of its species.Wildlife rehabilitation manager Richard Thompson said: “The scoter had a small fracture on the top of the keel bone, which was probably caused when he crash landed. “Fortunately this healed well, he showed great improvement and we felt he was ready to be released.“He was taken to Pett Level Beach and it was wonderful to watch him fly off towards the sea. We had also been informed that the day before the release there were up to 450 scoters in Rye … [Read more...] about Rare duck fights back to health after crash landing near Horsham
Crash landing blamed on flat tyre, official report reveals
A faulty tyre valve has been pinpointed as the likely cause of a crash landed in which a light aircraft was seriously damaged. The incident happened at mid-day on September 29 to the Jabiru aircraft - reg G CEOM – owned by John Rowland Caylow of Nottingham Lane, Ironville, near the Nottinghamshire Derbyshire border. It happened after the flight left at Darley Moor Airfield in Derbyshire and landed at Cromer Airfield in Noroflk. The pilot and passenger were unhurt. A newly published Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) report said as the plane touched down at Cromer it veered to the left and was left with damage to the nose, right landing gear, wing and propeller. It said before taking off from Darley Moor, the 69-year-old pilot - who had 1,114 hours flying experience - had checked the tyres and increased the pressure in them. However, when the wheels were checked after the landing the left tyre was deflated. Describing the accident, the report said: "As the aircraft touched … [Read more...] about Crash landing blamed on flat tyre, official report reveals
Plane which crash-landed at Cromer Airfield was due to faulty tyre air pressure
PUBLISHED: 11:48 15 December 2018 | UPDATED: 12:02 15 December 2018 Jessica Frank-Keyes An Nottingham pilot'’s aircraft, which was seriously damaged at a Cromer airfield, crash-landed due to a fault with the plane’s tyre valve, an air accident report has determined. Photo: Air Accident Investigation Branch Archant A pilot’s aircraft, which was seriously damaged at a Cromer Airfield, crash-landed due to a fault with the plane’s tyre valve, an air accident report has determined. The Jabiru UL-450 plane crash-landed before immediately “skidding sideways” and was left with a damaged nose, wing and propeller, after its landing gear legs collapsed from under it.The pilot, John Rowland Caylow, who had more than 1,100 hours of flight experience, and the single passenger on board were both unhurt in the crash.The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) report found Mr Caylow, who had checked the wheel tyre pressures before … [Read more...] about Plane which crash-landed at Cromer Airfield was due to faulty tyre air pressure