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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Fatigue cited in air crash deaths | Fatigue cited in air crash deaths |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An air ambulance may have crashed into the sea because the pilot was tired and lacked recent flying practice, according to an official report. | An air ambulance may have crashed into the sea because the pilot was tired and lacked recent flying practice, according to an official report. |
| The aircraft crashed in the sea near Campbeltown airport in March last year killing Captain Guy Henderson, 40, and paramedic John McCreanor, 34. | The aircraft crashed in the sea near Campbeltown airport in March last year killing Captain Guy Henderson, 40, and paramedic John McCreanor, 34. |
| The two men were flying from Glasgow to Campbeltown to collect a child with suspected appendicitis. | The two men were flying from Glasgow to Campbeltown to collect a child with suspected appendicitis. |
| The Air Accident Investigations Branch conducted the accident report. | The Air Accident Investigations Branch conducted the accident report. |
| Mr Henderson, from Broxburn, and Mr McCreanor, from Paisley, were flying to Campbeltown when contact was lost. | Mr Henderson, from Broxburn, and Mr McCreanor, from Paisley, were flying to Campbeltown when contact was lost. |
| The AAIB found that poor weather meant the pilot had to land using instruments. He told air traffic control he was beginning his approach, then his radio went dead. | The AAIB found that poor weather meant the pilot had to land using instruments. He told air traffic control he was beginning his approach, then his radio went dead. |
| He had not flown for 32 days before the day of the flight and allowed the plane to descend below the minimum altitude position required for approach. | He had not flown for 32 days before the day of the flight and allowed the plane to descend below the minimum altitude position required for approach. |
| 'Distraction or disorientation' | 'Distraction or disorientation' |
| The report said that it was probable that the pilot had flown comparatively few instrument approaches on the Islander aircraft, and "was suffering, at least to some extent, from the effects of fatigue". | The report said that it was probable that the pilot had flown comparatively few instrument approaches on the Islander aircraft, and "was suffering, at least to some extent, from the effects of fatigue". |
| It added that although there were signs of overload and fatigue, it was unlikely that the pilot became so focused on one aspect of flying the aircraft that he neglected to monitor its altitude for a protracted period. | |
| The report went on: "It is therefore possible that a further factor such as distraction or disorientation may have played a part." | |
| The report recommended that the authorities consider making it compulsory to carry low height warning devices. | The report recommended that the authorities consider making it compulsory to carry low height warning devices. |
| It also suggested having two pilots on air ambulances. | It also suggested having two pilots on air ambulances. |
| It said the presence of a second pilot may have prevented the crash. | It said the presence of a second pilot may have prevented the crash. |
| The AAIB also said that authorities should consider mandating the carrying of a radio altimeter or other independent low-height warning device for single-pilot planes operating under instrument flight rules. | The AAIB also said that authorities should consider mandating the carrying of a radio altimeter or other independent low-height warning device for single-pilot planes operating under instrument flight rules. |