Cause of plane crash that killed professor ‘may never be found’
EXPERIENCED PILOT AND NAVIGATION EXPERT’S CESSNA HIT SEA AT HIGH SPEED
THE cause of a plane crash which led to the death of a top North Wales academic and global expert in navigation may “never be identified”.
Professor James David Last, 79, from Llanfairfechan in Conwy was flying a Cessna 172 Skyhawk when it went missing in waters off Penmon, Anglesey in November 2019.
The body of the retired Bangor University professor emeritus, who was an “experienced pilot”, was found by police divers in deep water off Puffin Island, Anglesey, on December 12, 17 days after he went missing, following an extensive search.
An inquest held in Caernarfon on Wednesday could find no mechanical or medical reason to explain the cause of crash.
The hearing was told the former consultant engineer, who had held a pilot’s licence since 1977, died from serious head and chest injuries.
On November 25, Prof Last borrowed the Cessna 172 aircraft from a friend and set off on a short flight from Caernarfon airport to the Great Orme in Llandudno.
He had set off from the airport at around 11:15am but when the experienced pilot had not returned within the hour, the alarm was raised.
Search and rescue teams along with the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) were scrambled to the scene and by the afternoon the right-wing of the aircraft was found floating in an area north-west of Puffin Island.
The rest of the aircraft was found approximately one mile off the north-east tip of Puffin Island on December 12, with Prof Last inside the wreckage.
Andrew Cox and Nicholas
Dann, from the Air Accident Investigation Board, gave evidence to the inquest.
Mr Cox said: “While the right-wing detached, both wings had similar characteristic damage so it is likely that they both hit the water at similar times.
“I would expect the right-wing was slightly down and hit the water first and detached, closely followed by the left-wing.
“The plane would have hit the water at relatively straight level with the right-wing coming off relatively clean.”
Mr Dann described Prof
Last as a “very experienced pilot” and stated that he had undertaken and passed a proficiency check in August 2019 in which pilots must be able to demonstrate their competence.
He also confirmed that there was “nothing demanding” about the flight itself and it was in his local area.
Mr Dann said: “Had something untoward happened, such as a bird strike, it is likely that he would have let go of controls and spiral dived to the right.
“He wouldn’t have carried on with straight and consistent descent.
“If he had fallen ill or there had been an incident it is likely he would have radio called and there would have been more obvious signs of damage or a different descent.”
An investigation by the AAIB published in October 2020 found “no definitive cause” for the accident or any evidence of a structural failure.
A trial to replicate the final flight profile discounted a full or partial engine failure and the investigation found the condition of the plane was consistent with a highspeed impact.
Acting Senior Coroner Katie Sutherland concluded that the postmortem showed that Prof Last did not suffer an acute medical event such as a stroke or cardiac event and his heart was “entirely normal”.
Ms Sutherland said: “A postmortem examination by Dr Brian Rodgers did not identify any medical reason which may have caused the aircraft to come down.
“There were no medical reasons which may have caused any sudden collapse.
“He did have a cough and cold the week prior but was well enough to watch a rugby match with his son two days prior to his disappearance.
“The pathologist could not identify anything significant in the examination.
“He made no radio calls saying that he had fallen ill or that there were any mechanical issues.
“During the flight time the weather conditions were good for flying conditions.
“Mechanical features show that the aircraft sustained damage in a highspeed impact with the water and there is no suggestion that the aircraft had broken up mid-flight.
“There is no evidence of structural failure, the engine did not fail and had a sufficient amount of fuel.
“Professor Last sustained a serious head injury and traumatic bleeding around the brain.
“He also had a sternal fracture and extensive bleeding around the spine.
“He died as a result of traumatic injuries as the plane impacted the water and the cause of death has been given as head and chest injuries.”
Ms Sutherland delivered an open conclusion.
Following the inquest Prof Last’s family released a statement thanking everyone involved in the search.
They said: “We welcome the conclusion of the inquest into our Dad’s death.
“Whilst it is a relief to finally be able to draw a line under the investigations as it has been nearly two years since we lost Dave, it is unfortunate that the very nature of the accident may mean that a cause is never finally identified.
“However we are very grateful to all the agencies involved and their extensive and rigorous efforts in this regard.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the initial search, rescue and recovery operation.
“Outside of the search and rescue operation we would like to express heartfelt gratitude to friends and those from the scientific, academic, navigation and electronic engineering community who have both publicly and privately expressed their sympathy for the loss of a man they knew as a friend, an outstanding colleague and a leading light in his field.
“Their thoughts and reflections have been a great comfort.
“On a personal level this remains a difficult time for the family as we are still coming to terms with the loss of a dearly loved father, grandfather, husband, brother and uncle.
“We thank everyone in advance for respecting our privacy to continue to grieve as a family.”