Flight Details
The aircraft, operated by an Air Operator's Certificate holder, was conducting an air ambulance operation from Ronaldsway in the Isle of Man to Liverpool. The flight was conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) on a direct track to the Seaforth dock area of Liverpool.
Accident Sequence
The pilot flew by visual reference along the northern coast of the Mersey Estuary to set up a visual approach to Runway 09 at Liverpool. During the turn onto final approach, when approximately 0.8 nautical miles from the threshold and 0.38 nautical miles south of the extended centerline, the aircraft flew into the sea and disappeared.
Findings
The investigation concluded that the pilot lost control of the aircraft at a late stage of the approach due either to disorientation, distraction, incapacitation, or a combination of these conditions. All five occupants were killed.