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TOR / C152, en-route, Mattersey Nottinghamshire UK, 1999
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| 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. |
| Event Details | |
|---|---|
| When | January 1999 |
| Actual or Potential Event Type |
Human Factors, Loss of Separation |
| Day/Night | Day |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Flight Details | |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | CESSNA 152 Aerobat |
| Operator | Private |
| Type of Flight | Private |
| Origin | Retford-Gamston |
| Intended Destination | Retford-Gamston |
| Take off Commenced | Yes |
| Flight Airborne | Yes |
| Flight Completed | No |
| Flight Phase | Manoeuvring |
| MNV | |
| Flight Details | |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | PANAVIA Tornado |
| Operator | Royal Air Force |
| Domicile | United Kingdom |
| Type of Flight | Military/State |
| Origin | RAF Cottesmore |
| Intended Destination | RAF Cottesmore |
| Take off Commenced | Yes |
| Flight Airborne | Yes |
| Flight Completed | No |
| Flight Phase | Manoeuvring |
| MNV | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Approx. | near Mattersey, Nottinghamshire |
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| 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 |
| Fatalities | Most or all occupants (4) |
| 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.