Articles | Light aircraft crash

Air crash victims worked for firm

Published: Sunday, 17 August 2008, 3:40PM

Four of the five people killed in a mid-air collision were employees of a specialist survey company.

The pilot and three passengers in the twin engine Cessna 402 were working for specialist firm Reconnaissance Ventures Ltd (RVL) when their plane crashed with a light aircraft in Brinklow, Warwickshire.

The two men and two women along with the pilot of the light aircraft, who is believed to be a man, were confirmed dead at the scene.

Colin Dennis, managing director for Coventry-based RVL, said the employees had been carrying out routine work for a private firm when the accident happened: "It (the aircraft) had been taking an entirely routine flight and was on a perfectly normal approach to land at Coventry.

"It was approximately two miles from the runway. We believe it had been cleared to land by Coventry Airport air traffic control when it was in collision with a smaller single engine light aircraft."

Mr Dennis added: "We believe the light aircraft was also hoping to land at Coventry."

He said he would not be releasing the names of the employees because their relatives had not all been informed yet.

Paul Harwood, head of human resources at Coventry Airport, said he knew those who died in the crash: "They are known to us all. They've been around for some time, most of us have been around for some time."

"It is a small community, and our sympathies don't just go out to their families, it's all those who are affected."

Fire crews said the light aircraft "disintegrated" upon impact and came down near the Coombe Abbey luxury hotel, five miles from Coventry Airport.

The Cessna 402 crashed in nearby Brandon Woods. Debris was spread over a large area, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

Detective Superintendent Adrian McGee, who is leading the Warwickshire Police investigation, said there were 30 officers working at the scene.

Mr McGee said: "We are conducting a joint investigation with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service to try and find out what has happened.

"There are two scenes and they are difficult to get to. We are appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash to get in touch."