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Experts probe fatal crash scene | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Air investigation experts are trying to determine the cause of the private jet crash which killed five people and destroyed a house on Sunday. | |
The Air Accident Investigation Branch has been examining wreckage at the scene in Farnborough, Kent, while teams waited to recover bodies. | |
No black box flight recorders were fitted on the private plane, it said. | |
Two pilots and three passengers died when the Cessna jet crashed and burst into flames not long after take-off. | |
Ex-touring car racer David Leslie, team owner Richard Lloyd and pilot Mike Roberts were among those who died. | Ex-touring car racer David Leslie, team owner Richard Lloyd and pilot Mike Roberts were among those who died. |
Passenger Christopher Allarton, 25, and co-pilot Michael Chapman, 57 are also thought to have perished, although formal identification of all five on board will not happen for some time. | |
The plane was on a business flight from nearby Biggin Hill airfield to France. | The plane was on a business flight from nearby Biggin Hill airfield to France. |
'Engine vibrations' | 'Engine vibrations' |
In the moments before the crash, the pilot reportedly told air traffic control of severe engine vibrations and asked for permission to land again. | In the moments before the crash, the pilot reportedly told air traffic control of severe engine vibrations and asked for permission to land again. |
But the Cessna Citation 1 jet came down short of the airport in Romsey Close, Farnborough, at about 1430 BST. | |
CESSNA CITATION 1 First produced in 1976Two Pratt & Whitney enginesCapacity of eight peopleMax speed 647km/hMax take-off weight 10,850lbsProduction ceased 1985 'I heard Mayday call'In pictures: Crash aftermath | CESSNA CITATION 1 First produced in 1976Two Pratt & Whitney enginesCapacity of eight peopleMax speed 647km/hMax take-off weight 10,850lbsProduction ceased 1985 'I heard Mayday call'In pictures: Crash aftermath |
Residents who watched in horror as the plane plummeted with a loud "roar" said it was a "miracle" that no-one on the ground was badly injured. Two people were treated for shock. | Residents who watched in horror as the plane plummeted with a loud "roar" said it was a "miracle" that no-one on the ground was badly injured. Two people were treated for shock. |
The people who live in the damaged house were away on holiday and are now staying with friends. | The people who live in the damaged house were away on holiday and are now staying with friends. |
When air accident investigators have finished their initial search, and surveyors give the all clear, police will move in to try to recover bodies. | |
Bromley police Chief Superintendent Charles Griggs said: "The site itself is relatively dangerous. | Bromley police Chief Superintendent Charles Griggs said: "The site itself is relatively dangerous. |
"Once they give us the all clear, my body recovery team will go on to site, and it will be a slow painstaking recovery, because, on behalf of the coroner, we have to focus on identity." | "Once they give us the all clear, my body recovery team will go on to site, and it will be a slow painstaking recovery, because, on behalf of the coroner, we have to focus on identity." |
Seven families in the close had been evacuated after the crash, and they would be not be able to return for several days. | Seven families in the close had been evacuated after the crash, and they would be not be able to return for several days. |
The wreckage will later be taken to Farnborough, Hampshire, for examination. | The wreckage will later be taken to Farnborough, Hampshire, for examination. |
Flight data recorders are not required on planes registered in a private capacity, air accident investigators said, and none was fitted on board the plane. | |
'Racing's loss' | 'Racing's loss' |
Family liaison officers were in contact with families of the victims. | |
Mr Leslie, 54, who was born in Dumfriesshire, was best known for winning nine races in a 13-year touring car career in the Super Tourer era of the 1990s. | Mr Leslie, 54, who was born in Dumfriesshire, was best known for winning nine races in a 13-year touring car career in the Super Tourer era of the 1990s. |
A highly skilled and talented racing driver Sir Jackie Stewart David Leslie 'loss to Scottish sport' | A highly skilled and talented racing driver Sir Jackie Stewart David Leslie 'loss to Scottish sport' |
Friends have described him as a "good and kind" man who helped younger racing drivers, including David Coulthard. | Friends have described him as a "good and kind" man who helped younger racing drivers, including David Coulthard. |
It is thought he was working on setting up the new Jaguar racing team with fellow victim Richard Lloyd, 63, the boss of Apex Motorsport. | It is thought he was working on setting up the new Jaguar racing team with fellow victim Richard Lloyd, 63, the boss of Apex Motorsport. |
Colin Hilton, chief executive of the Motor Sports Association, said Mr Lloyd was a successful driver, but: "it was as a team manager and owner that Richard really made his name, working with some of the best drivers in the world and winning numerous titles." | Colin Hilton, chief executive of the Motor Sports Association, said Mr Lloyd was a successful driver, but: "it was as a team manager and owner that Richard really made his name, working with some of the best drivers in the world and winning numerous titles." |
'Hero' pilot | 'Hero' pilot |
Floral tributes have been laid at the scene to pilot Mike Roberts, who eyewitnesses said made a desperate bid to try and avoid houses as the plane came down. | Floral tributes have been laid at the scene to pilot Mike Roberts, who eyewitnesses said made a desperate bid to try and avoid houses as the plane came down. |
Douglas Field, 71, his friend of a decade, called him a hero, adding: "We are all shocked by this because he was one of those outstanding figures, a tremendous person." | Douglas Field, 71, his friend of a decade, called him a hero, adding: "We are all shocked by this because he was one of those outstanding figures, a tremendous person." |
Pilots and local residents saw the plane come down | Pilots and local residents saw the plane come down |
BBC transport correspondent Tom Symonds said accidents were rare among Cessna jets. | |
Engine failure at or just after take-off is one of the most serious problems a pilot can face, because the plane is at a low altitude, climbing at a lower speed, and full of fuel. | Engine failure at or just after take-off is one of the most serious problems a pilot can face, because the plane is at a low altitude, climbing at a lower speed, and full of fuel. |
A pilot named as John, who was landing another plane at Biggin Hill at the time, heard the mayday call. The Cessna pilot reported "severe engine vibrations", he said. | A pilot named as John, who was landing another plane at Biggin Hill at the time, heard the mayday call. The Cessna pilot reported "severe engine vibrations", he said. |
He told the BBC: "You could hear the alarms in the cockpit. | He told the BBC: "You could hear the alarms in the cockpit. |
"The pilot came back over the radio a second or two later and said 'We're going down, we're going down'. | "The pilot came back over the radio a second or two later and said 'We're going down, we're going down'. |
"The radio stayed live, and as I turned off the runway I looked back and I saw the plane basically drop out of the sky. | "The radio stayed live, and as I turned off the runway I looked back and I saw the plane basically drop out of the sky. |
"And then the radio went dead and black smoke came up from over the hill." | "And then the radio went dead and black smoke came up from over the hill." |
Have you witnessed the plane crash? Were you in the area? Tell us your experience using the form below. | Have you witnessed the plane crash? Were you in the area? Tell us your experience using the form below. |
You can also send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or MMS to 61124. | You can also send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or MMS to 61124. |
Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |