Inquest rules on co-pilot's death

A Northampton co-pilot who was killed when his plane was hit while on the ground, died because of a "lack of communication", an inquest has heard.

Jonathan Andrew, 43, died in May 2000 when the wing of a jet liner sliced through the cockpit of his cargo plane on a runway in Paris.

The coroner recorded a narrative verdict after hearing two planes had clearance to take off at the same time.

Mr Andrew, of Worcester Close, Little Billing, died of head injuries.

Something struck John and although we were both wearing seat harnesses he was knocked across onto my shoulders Gary Grant, pilot

Northamptonshire coroner Anne Pember said: "Following a lack of communication between two airport controllers, the deceased, a co-pilot of a Shorts-330 cargo plane, was given permission for take-off at the same time as a MacDonnell jet liner.

"The two were in such a position that they were on a collision course."

The inquest heard Mr Andrew had worked for cargo company Streamline for a week before the incident.

A statement from fellow pilot Gary Grant, of Nuneaton, Warwickshire, said the pair had completed the journey from Luton Airport to Charles de Gaulle Airport several times together.

Applied brakes

He said they were told one plane was going to take off ahead of them, and were then given permission to take off.

But Mr Grant then noticed the plane he had assumed was taking off was actually landing.

He said he immediately applied the brakes but "within seconds the wing of the plane had sliced through the right-hand side of our plane".

"Something struck John and although we were both wearing seat harnesses he was knocked across onto my shoulders."

The inquest heard Mr Grant eventually managed to regain control of the plane and emergency services helped him out of the wreckage.