Accident Overview
On 15 January 2010 at 1407 UTC, a Piper PA-31P Pressurised Navajo, registration N95RS, crashed into a field in Bladon, Oxfordshire. The aircraft was destroyed by a post-impact fire. The flight was a private air test that had departed from Oxford Airport. The pilot and the sole passenger both sustained fatal injuries.
Flight History
The aircraft took off from Oxford at 1403 UTC for a planned air test, with an intended cruising level of FL190. The pilot contacted Brize Radar at 1404 UTC and was cleared to climb to FL80. Radar showed the aircraft climbing to around 1,500 ft before it began to descend. At 1406 UTC, the Brize Norton controller inquired with Oxford ATC if the aircraft had landed; they heard an aircraft overhead but could not establish contact. Despite repeated calls, there was no reply. Witnesses saw the aircraft crash at approximately 1407 UTC. The local emergency services were notified.
Aircraft Information
The Piper PA-31P Pressurised Navajo (manufactured in 1974) was powered by two Lycoming TIGO-541 piston engines. The aircraft had been purchased in Germany and ferried to Oxford on 11 December 2009. After landing, a brake defect was noted and rectified on 20 December 2009. The aircraft was refuelled on 9 January 2010, and the fuel sample met specification. No recent maintenance records for other systems were available. The post-accident examination was hindered by fire damage.
Pilot and Passenger Information
The 54-year-old pilot held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence and had approximately 12,500 total flying hours, with over 10 hours in the last 28 days. He had a valid JAR Class 1 medical certificate, last examined on 29 September 2009. The passenger was a private pilot with a PPL (fixed-wing) since November 2008 and a PPL(H) since March 2009. He had completed a Multi-engine Piston (MEP) rating in November 2009 on a Piper Seneca and had about 4 hours of dual IMC training. His instructor deemed it unlikely he could have flown the accident aircraft in IMC.
Medical Findings
Autopsy revealed that both occupants suffered severe multiple injuries, and death occurred before the post-crash fire. No alcohol or drugs were detected. The pilot had severe coronary artery disease, capable of causing cardiac symptoms, collapse, or sudden death. Evidence suggested the pilot may have been incapacitated or died before impact.
Weather and Airfield
The weather at Oxford at 1330 UTC: surface wind 170° at 8-12 kt, visibility 2,000 m, cloud broken at 200 ft. The airfield elevation is 270 ft, with terrain rising to 400 ft one nautical mile southwest. Low visibility procedures were in effect.