Synopsis
On 18 January 2012 at 1117 hrs, a Piper PA-31-325 Navajo C/R, registration G-BWHF, impacted cloud-covered trees on the upper slope of Long Mountain near Welshpool Airport, Powys. The aircraft then struck a grass field and caught fire. Both pilots suffered fatal injuries.
History of the Flight
The commander, aged 55, held an Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence with 11,164 total flying hours, including 375 on type. He had retired from airline flying in August 2011 and renewed his ratings in late 2011 and early 2012. His last flight in G-BWHF was on 10 November 1998, so he planned a re-familiarisation flight. The other pilot, occupying the front right seat, was familiar with the aircraft and the aerodrome, having flown 2,177 hours on the PA-31 and 2,119 hours on G-BWHF.
The aircraft departed Welshpool at 1105 hrs after multiple engine run-up checks. A witness heard three or four run-up cycles instead of the usual one per engine. The aircraft climbed through thin stratus cloud and continued normally.
A Robinson R22 helicopter pilot, who departed Welshpool at 1015 hrs, reported weather conditions: drizzle with patches of broken stratus at 600–700 ft aal, tops at 1,500 ft aal, visibility 5–6 km below cloud and over 10 km above. He noted Long Mountain’s top was in cloud.
At about 1115 hrs, the R22 pilot heard a transmission from the PA-31 pilot stating he was rejoining for circuits. The R22 landed at 1115 hrs. Radar data showed the PA-31 climbed to 3,223 ft amsl, tracked south, then turned north. A witness 3.5 nm northeast saw the aircraft with both propellers turning, make a left turn with high power, then descend over Long Mountain. The aircraft did not return to Welshpool, prompting a search. Wreckage was found in an open field on the west slope of Long Mountain.
Meteorological Information
A Met Office aftercast indicated a weak cold front over Welshpool at 1200 hrs. West of the front, visibility was 8 km with broken cloud at 400 ft and 1,500 ft. East of the front, visibility was 50 km with broken cloud at 1,200 ft. The R22 pilot described two stratus layers: lower base 600–800 ft, tops 1,500 ft; higher base 3,000–4,000 ft. Weather improved during his flight, with lower base rising to 1,000 ft aal. Webcam images showed gradual improvement with blue sky patches as the PA-31 taxied.
Pilot Background
The commander began flying in 1989, worked as a Flight Instructor, and flew Cessna Citation, HS 748, Airbus A320, and Boeing 737 before retiring. He renewed his FI, SEP, MEP, and IR ratings before the accident. The second pilot had flown from Welshpool for 27 years and had recently completed Rockwell Turbo Commander training in the USA.
Wreckage and Impact
No witnesses saw the impact, but a witness in the wood heard the engines just before. The aircraft was destroyed. Post-mortem examinations revealed both pilots died from severe multiple injuries; toxicology showed no drugs or alcohol.