The detailed flight history of a light aircraft that tragically crashed shortly after departing from Birmingham Airport, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, has been made public. This revelation provides a timeline of the aircraft's movements in the days leading up to the fatal incident.
Timeline of the Fatal Flight
The Cirrus SR20 G6 Premium Platinum aircraft took off from Birmingham Airport at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 3. Merely 38 minutes later, it crashed on farmland near Littleborough in the Rochdale area of Greater Manchester. Greater Manchester Police confirmed the tragic loss of two lives in the accident.
Investigation Underway
The Air Accident Investigation Branch has launched a full investigation into the crash. A multidisciplinary team of inspectors has been dispatched to the accident site to gather evidence and determine the cause. Emergency services, including police, have been working collaboratively at the scene.
Chief Superintendent Danny Inglis from Greater Manchester Police's Rochdale district expressed condolences, stating, "This is a devastating incident where two people have lost their lives and our thoughts are with their families and friends." He emphasised the ongoing efforts to establish the full circumstances and urged any witnesses to come forward.
Revealed Flight History
Data from Flightaware has disclosed the aircraft's last seven flights before the crash. The plane, manufactured in 2023, was notably active in the preceding week.
Just six days earlier, on Wednesday, January 28, the aircraft completed five journeys over a span of five and a half hours. These flights were all between Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport and Birmingham Airport.
- The longest of these flights lasted one hour and 29 minutes between the two airports.
- Another flight originated and concluded at Wolverhampton Airport, taking 59 minutes from 12:57 PM to 1:56 PM.
Additionally, two other flights between the same airports were recorded on Saturday, January 24, according to the flight tracking data.
Automatic Safety Feature Activated
At the crash site on Blackstone Edge Moor, above Hollingworth Lake, a yellow parachute was observed entangled around an electricity pylon. This is believed to be part of the aircraft's automatic emergency parachute system, designed to deploy in critical situations to potentially slow descent.
Responses from Involved Parties
A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport confirmed the departure, stating, "We can confirm that a private light aircraft left BHX, from the XLR Executive Jet Centre at around 10am on 3 February. We are supporting all our partners, and no further comment will be made until all facts are established by our third-party partners."
The aircraft was registered to Daedalus Aviation (Services) Ltd, a Birmingham-based company that offers pilot training experiences. A spokeswoman for the company stated they are "currently working with the authorities on the investigation." BirminghamLive has approached the plane's owner for a statement and is awaiting a response.
The investigation continues as authorities work to piece together the events leading to this tragic aviation accident.
