What happened
The aircraft was on approach to Glasgow-Renfrew Airport under poor weather conditions, characterized by drizzle and limited visibility of approximately 3 km. The crew passed over the airfield at 1320 local time but failed to identify the runway visually. Consequently, they continued their flight path toward the northwest.
Three minutes after passing the airport, radio communications with local Air Traffic Control were interrupted by a distress call from another aircraft, a De Havilland DH.89 registered G-ADAJ. The copilot of that second aircraft transmitted a mayday message claiming fuel exhaustion and secured landing priority. As the initial aircraft failed to arrive at the airfield, search and rescue operations were initiated.
The wreckage was subsequently located on the slope of Mt Craighton near Milngavie, north of Glasgow. The impact forces and subsequent post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft, resulting in the deaths of all 7 occupants.
Findings
Investigations indicated that the crew likely lost spatial orientation during the approach to Renfrew Airfield. They continued northwest without establishing visual contact with the airport while operating in poor weather conditions with low visibility.
It was determined that the distress call from the second aircraft (G-ADAJ) was unfounded, as fuel levels were sufficient for at least one hour of flight. The captain of G-ADAJ attempted to have the copilot cancel the mayday, but this failed, and the priority status remained active.
During this period, radio contact with the first aircraft was lost. It is believed that the crew misinterpreted instructions intended for the second aircraft by ATC. This confusion led them to continue northward without accurately knowing their actual position.