'Lucky escape' after mid-air collision

The collision is being investigated by the AAIB

The passengers and crew of a light aircraft and microlight had a "lucky escape" after the two planes collided in mid-air.

No one was injured in the incident, which happened a few miles south west of Cambridge last Friday.

Pilot Dean Cobbold, from Suffolk, was flying the Socata TB9 light aircraft with two passengers, his 10-year-old son Joshua and friend Peter Blasiak, from Slovakia.

Both aircraft were damaged in the incident with the wheels of the microlight making marks on the right wing of the other aircraft.

Dean (Cobbold) said just after the collision he was thrilled to bits he had survived

David Weston, Socata plane owner

Owner of the plane, businessman David Weston, 49, from Mildenhall, said: "It was a lucky escape, not just for the people on the planes but also for people on the ground."

Mr Weston, who runs a car leasing and rental firm, said Mr Cobbold, from Mildenhall, was an experienced pilot with 250 hours flying time over the last five years.

He is currently training to be a professional pilot, he said.

Accident shock

Mr Weston said the Socata took off from Duxford airfield, after the trio had spent the day visiting the Imperial War Museum, Duxford.

Mr Weston said: "Dean said just after the collision he was thrilled to bits he had survived.

"The shock of what had occurred, although the plane only had minor damage, was just coming back to him."

It is believed the Cyclone Airsports Flight Design CT2K microlight was being flown by a pilot from Northamptonshire, and had a passenger on board.

Investigation report

A spokesman for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) told BBC News Online: "The aircraft were involved in a mid-air collision and there were no injuries.

"Both planes landed safely and the incident is under investigation by the AAIB.

"There were score marks on the side of the fuselage of the microlight and an antenna was damaged, and the Socata sustained structural damage to the right side wing."

A report into the collision is due to be published later this year.