What happened
On 13 December 2000, a Cessna 152, registration G-BHPX, departed Inverness for a business trip to Benbecula. The pilot, accompanied by a passenger, had arranged for the aircraft to be fueled the previous evening. Although the pilot had previously contacted Benbecula ATC to provide an estimated arrival time, there was no record of a follow-up weather check on the morning of the flight.
During the flight, the aircraft was observed by witnesses flying near Garve. However, the aircraft failed to arrive at its destination. After the pilot's company noted the delay and attempted to contact the crew without success, a large-scale search and rescue operation was initiated by the Rescue Co-ordination Centre at RAF Kinloss.
In February 2001, a hill walker discovered debris in a gully near Torridon. Subsequent investigation by the Torridon Mountain Rescue Team located the wreckage of G-BHPX at approximately 2,700 feet in the Liathach Mountains. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained two fatalities.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage on a steep slope in the mountains. The analysis of the debris field showed that the aircraft had struck the hillside at a high speed, with the impact energy causing extreme destruction to the airframe. The engine was found to be producing power at the moment of impact, and the aircraft appeared to have been in a controlled, slightly right-banked, and possibly descending flight path.
No mechanical failures or defects were found in the engine, flight controls, or instruments. The investigation also looked into the weather conditions, noting a low-pressure system bringing strong winds, frequent showers, and a low cloudbase to the region. The pilot's use of a GPS was noted, though the high workload of navigating through changing weather in mountainous terrain was considered.
Findings
- The aircraft was flying at or near its maximum takeoff weight.
- The pilot likely encountered reduced visibility due to cloud or heavy rain showers.
- The aircraft struck the terrain in a controlled state, suggesting the crew may not have seen the high ground before impact.
- The lack of an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) or similar device contributed to the delay in locating the wreckage.
- The pilot did not file a formal flight plan, which meant ATC was not required to notify Benbecula ATC of the flight details.