What happened
On 9 August 1974, a mid-air collision occurred at Fordham Fen in Norfolk between two distinct aircraft types. The incident involved Piper PA-25-235 with registration G-ASVX, which was engaged in agricultural operations, and a Royal Air Force Phantom FGR2 fighter jet bearing the tail number XV493. Both aircraft were destroyed as a result of the impact.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the circumstances surrounding the encounter between the civilian agricultural aircraft and the military fighter. The inquiry focused on the operational profiles of both parties, specifically the low-level flight path of the Phantom and the position of the Piper during its work cycle. The investigation established the factual sequence leading to the collision at the specified location.
Findings
The primary causal factor was the collision between the two aircraft in the airspace over Fordham Fen. The findings highlighted the critical interaction between a low-flying military jet and a civilian aircraft operating at a similar altitude, underscoring the risks inherent in mixed-use airspace without adequate separation.
Safety action
No specific safety recommendations or subsequent actions are recorded in this source material.