What happened
While operating a flight originating from Blackpool, the pilot notified air traffic control of smoke appearing within the cockpit area. Due to the developing situation, the crew initially intended to divert to the closest available airport.
However, as conditions inside the aircraft worsened, the pilot determined that an immediate landing was necessary. The decision was made to attempt an emergency descent into a field situated near Eccleshall. During the landing sequence, the aircraft type (unspecified) struck the ground, resulting in significant damage to the wings and the undercarriage.
Despite the impact, all seven occupants were able to exit the aircraft without injury. There were zero fatalities reported following the incident.
Findings
- The pilot encountered smoke in the cockpit during the flight phase.
- The necessity of an emergency landing was driven by the critical nature of the onboard situation.