Plane diverted after microlight crashes at Coventry Airport
04.05.06
A passenger plane had to be diverted from Coventry Airport after a microlight machine crashed into the runway. It was the second in two days involving the same pilot, in the same machine, also known as an autogiro, had crashed at the airport! Accident investigators are now searching for clues on the cause of the crash.
Investigators with the Air Accident Investigation Board have started an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incidents. On both occasions, pilot Gerry Speich escaped without serious injury.
Mr Speich, aged 45, who has 10 years flying experience was taking part in engineering flight development tests on the machine - the first autogiro to be given the green light to use UK airspace.
The first crash happened at around 12.30 on Friday as the machine made a controlled landing in a field short of runway five at the airport. Mr Speich said: 'I was on a flight test for the Civil Aviation Authority. On the first occasion, there was a problem with the fuel pipe system. If it had happened to a normal aircraft, it would have left a hole in the ground. But we were able to pick a spot and land safely. It did the aircraft no damage whatsoever and we walked away.'
Then, at 18:30 on Saturday, Mr Speich escaped with slight injuries after the same machine crashed into the same runway it missed the day before. This time, the aircraft had already landed when it flipped to one side and crashed as it attempted to manoeuvre on the ground.
Airport bosses had to divert a Thomsonfly flight from Alicante to East Midlands while the wreckage was cleared from the runway.
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