Narrative:Viking G-AHPK departed Renfrew at 18:42 for a flight to Northolt. The crew contacted Northolt at 20:30, reporting 5 miles out. Following 2 or 3 failed SBA approaches the aircraft was heard flying at low altitude. The Viking plane struck trees and crashed into a ploughed field.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The accident was due to the aircraft flying into trees in conditions of poor visibility while the pilot was attempting a visual or bad weather timed approach (or circuit) to the airport. The pilot committed an error of judgement in not asking for diversion to another airport after he had failed to land by the aid of the Beam. An incorrect altimeter setting cannot be dismissed as a possible contributory cause."
Classification:
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Ground
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Glasgow-Renfrew Airport to London-Northolt Airport as the crow flies is 542 km (338 miles).
Accident location: Global; accuracy within tens or hundreds of kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.