By Aviation Editor Doug Maclean
The Air Accident Investigation Branch have today published the outcome of their investigation into the accident involving Prestwick based Cherokee aircraft registered G-BVNS on 23rd April 2024.
The crew of the aeroplane both sustained severe injuries in the accident but were able to give their recollection of the flight and subsequent crash.
The 15 page report makes sober reading from a really terrifying incident and we hope that the crew and those who came to their rescue have recovered from the immediate trauma. Our thoughts are with them all as they will be reminded of this accident very clearly today.
As ever in aviation safety the investigation seeks to find the cause of the accident. It does not apportion “blame”. The report highlights many issues associated with the flight and actions by those involved and finally notes that “The engine most likely stopped because of carburettor icing and a forced landing ensued”
Any accident investigation is hugely complex but safety has been enhanced for decades by all involved telling as much as they know about every aspect of the flight.
Each organisation will learn from this accident and it is to the credit of all involved in aviation that such accidents are very rare. The report says much more than I could say about the flight even though I have worked in the industry for over 40 years.
This is because the investigators are dispassionate experts who report facts from the evidence and do not speculate about blame. We are all safer for these experts doing their excellent work.
You can read the Full report HERE