Sala plane broke up because pilot flew it too fast
Horror of footie ace’s final moments
THE plane in which footballer Emiliano Sala died broke up when the pilot lost control and flew too fast while trying to avoid bad weather.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch concluded that the single-engine Piper Malibu was pushed beyond its limits by pilot David Ibbotson, 59, who was also killed.
It said he was probably affected by exhaust fumes.
Lack of training on instrument-only night flying may also have been a factor.
Argentinian Sala, 28, signed for Cardiff City from French side Nantes for £15million. The crash in January 2019 came as he was flown to Wales after saying goodbye to his old teammates. His body was recovered from the English Channel. The pilot has not been found.
Flight investigator Geraint Herbert said: “Control was lost during a manually flown turn and the aircraft descended, rapidly accelerating. It rolled to the left and there was an abrupt nose-up control input at a speed well above the maximum permitted for such an input.” Resulting loads were excessive and the plane broke up. He added: “It was likely the pilot was impaired to some extent by carbon monoxide poisoning.” Senior inspector Alison Campbell said it was a dark with little or no visible horizon. She added: “There was poor weather and from his radio calls it was clear the pilot needed to manoeuvre to avoid it.” The report said neither Mr Ibbotson nor the plane were licensed to fly commercially but evidence showed he was to be paid a fee. Former football agent Willie McKay has said he paid for the flight to help son Mark, who was acting for Nantes. But he said he did not choose the pilot or plane. Sala’s family claimed the report left many questions for the inquest. The Civil Aviation Authority is probing if any offences were committed.
David Ibbotson
Sala had bid farewell to pals