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16:20 GMT, Wednesday, 2 July 2008 17:20 UK

Inquest into plane crash begins

Scene of the crash at Headcorn Aerodrome

An inquest into the cause of a plane crash in Kent which killed the pilot and left eight injured has begun.

The crash happened in March 2007 when a De Havilland Turbo Beaver plane struck a static display aircraft at the end of the runway at Headcorn Aerodrome.

Mr Steven Davis, aged 36 and from Orpington, died at Royal London Hospital the day after the crash.

An Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) inspector told the inquest how Mr Davis tried to abort the flight.

Reading from a December 2007 AAIB report, Mr Julian Firth told the nine-strong inquest jury at Maidstone County Hall that the plane had appeared to accelerate normally.

'Able to evacuate'

He then described how the parachute "jump-master" had noticed the aircraft was still on the ground as it passed a point on the runway where it would normally be airborne.

The pilot then shouted "abort" before one of the parachutists said: "Brace, brace, everyone on the floor".

The left wing and cockpit of the aircraft then collided with a camouflaged F100 fighter jet parked as a museum exhibit off the end of the runway.

Mr Firth said members of the cabin were able to evacuate the aircraft, but the pilot remained unconscious in the cockpit.

The 2007 AAIB report found that the crash was caused by incorrectly aligned wing flaps.




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Related to this story:
'Plane flaps error' caused crash (14 Dec 07 |  Kent )
Pilot dies after aerodrome crash (12 Mar 07 |  Kent )
Nine injured in Kent plane crash (12 Mar 07 |  Kent )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Air Accidents Investigation Branch
Headcorn Aerodrome
Headcorn Parachute Club
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