TOR / C152, en-route, Mattersey Nottinghamshire UK, 1999
TOR / C152, en-route, Mattersey Nottinghamshire UK, 1999
Summary
On 21 January 1999, a UK Royal Air Force Tornado GR1 and a private Cessna 152 collided in mid air, at low level in day VMC with the resultant loss of both aircraft and the death of all occupants.
Flight Details
Aircraft
Operator
Type of Flight
Private
Flight Origin
Intended Destination
Take-off Commenced
Yes
Flight Airborne
Yes
Flight Completed
No
Phase of Flight
Manoeuvring
Flight Details
Aircraft
Operator
Type of Flight
Military/State
Flight Origin
Intended Destination
Take-off Commenced
Yes
Flight Airborne
Yes
Flight Completed
No
Phase of Flight
Manoeuvring
Location
Approx.
near Mattersey, Nottinghamshire
General
Tag(s)
Flight Crew Training,
Aircraft-aircraft collision
HF
Tag(s)
Distraction,
Ineffective Monitoring,
Manual Handling,
Procedural non compliance,
Violation
LOS
Tag(s)
See and Avoid Ineffective,
Required Separation not maintained,
Released to Own Separation,
Mid-Air Collision,
Military Aircraft involved
Outcome
Damage or injury
Yes
Aircraft damage
Hull loss
Non-aircraft damage
No
Non-occupant Casualties
No
Occupant Fatalities
Most or all occupants
Number of Occupant Fatalities
4
Off Airport Landing
No
Ditching
No
Causal Factor Group(s)
Group(s)
Aircraft Operation
Safety Recommendation(s)
Group(s)
Air Traffic Management
Investigation Type
Type
Independent
Description
On 21 January 1999, a UK Royal Air Force Tornado GR1 and a private Cessna 152 collided in mid air, at low level in day VMC with the resultant loss of both aircraft and the death of all occupants.
Investigation
According to the Report of the Investigation carried out by the UK AAIB, the Cessna 152 was most probably engaged in aerial photography while the Tornado GR1 was on a routine training flight that included low level flying.
The mid air collision occurred at a height of 655 feet above ground level. It was concluded that neither of the pilots had seen the other aircraft in time to take avoiding action.
The Investigation considered that the Cessna was operating at a height known to be vulnerable to an encounter with military fast jets and, by not using the UK Civil Aircraft Notification Procedure (CANP) or informing any ATC Unit of his location and intentions, had degraded the potential of other traffic to locate and avoid him.
The Tornado student pilot was conducting operational checks, head down, and the instructor pilot in the rear seat had a limited field of view ahead of the aircraft.
