Final report into Sala tragedy to be released within coming weeks
THE final investigation report into the fatal air accident that killed Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala will be published within weeks, it has been announced.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) released a new statement yesterday, on the anniversary of the tragedy, revealing they are close to publishing everything they have found.
The exact cause of the accident remains unclear, with pilot David Ibbotson still unaccounted for 12 months on.
A special bulletin, published last year, revealed Sala had been exposed to “potentially fatal” levels of carbon monoxide which could have caused seizure, unconsciousness or heart attack.
Investigators found Mr Ibbotson was also likely to have been affected, as the cockpit was not separated from the cabin. The effect would have been “decreasing the carriage of oxygen and causing a direct effect on the performance of those parts of the body which rely on oxygen for proper function”.
It has also been determined the plane was not allowed to be used for commercial operations, throwing the legitimacy of the status of the flight under intense scrutiny.
Reports have also claimed Mr Ibbotson was not allowed to fly at night because he was colour blind.
Crispin Orr, Chief Inspector of Air Accidents, Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said today: “Today marks the anniversary of the accident involving Piper PA46-310P Malibu, N264DB, near Guernsey, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of Mr Ibbotson and Mr Sala at this time.
“The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has conducted a thorough investigation looking at a number of elements including operational, technical, organisational and human factors that may have caused or contributed to this accident. We have worked closely with many specialist organisations including the aircraft and engine manufacturers and the National
Transportation Safety (NTSB) in the USA.
“The AAIB has published two special bulletins about the accident, one which contained preliminary factual information, and the second which contained medical information for the general aviation community about the dangers of exposure to carbon monoxide.
“Our investigation is now at an advanced stage and we intend to publish our final report by the end of March 2020.”
A 64-year-old man from North Yorkshire was arrested in June last year on suspicion of manslaughter by an unlawful act in relation to Sala’s death.
He remains investigation.
The inquest into the death of Sala has not yet concluded and, if any criminal prosecution is to be launched, could yet be suspended. It has so far determined Sala died of “head and trunk injuries”, while the former Nantes player had to be identified by fingerprint evidence.
The wreckage of the Piper Malibu aircraft has now washed away, the inquest heard. Sala’s family had organised for a sonar survey of the crash site in October, only to learn the wreckage – other than some debris – was no longer there.
The inquest is due to reopen in March. Cardiff City remain locked in a bitter dispute with Nantes over the £15million transfer fee to bring Sala to the Welsh capital, and it does not appear this will be resolved swiftly.
Fifa stepped in and have already ordered the Bluebirds to pay up the first instalment fee – £5.3m – but the club is appealing the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
At some point in the coming days, the Western Mail understand it is the Bluebirds’ intention to put their point of view across to fans and media in general about the non-payment of the transfer fee instalment.
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