ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 70170
Last updated: 6 January 2021
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| Date: | 25-SEP-1987 |
| Time: | 16:14 LT |
| Type: |  Cessna A150K |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | G-XUSA |
| C/n / msn: | A150-00050 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Tollesbury, 9 miles E of Maldon, Essex -
 United Kingdom
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Southend (SEB/EGMC) |
| Ipswich, Suffolk (IPW/EGSE) | |
| Investigating agency: | AAIB |
The aircraft crashed into a field of Sugar Beet at Tollesbury, nine mailes of Maldon, Essex, on 25/9/1987 while performing low-level aerobatics. The impact with the ground "wiped out" the undercarriage, and aircraft overturned, crushing the cockpit.
According to the AAIB report, the pilot/owner - this was a dual controlled plane - was under the influence of alcohol, having been seen to be drinking from a bottle of whisky approx 45 minutes before takeoff. A post-mortem toxicology report indicated that Ronald James Sullivan was well under the blood-alcohol limit but Nigel Brendish was some three times over the "safe" blood-alcohol limit allowed for someone driving a car. Both persons on board (pilot and passenger) were killed.
Passenger: Nigel Brendish, director of Harvest Air and associated companies. Very experienced aerobatic display pilot noted for his Mighty Monk: G-IDDY.
Registration G-XUSA formally cancelled 13 months later, on 25/10/1988, as aircraft "destroyed"
Sources:
1. CAA: https://siteapps.caa.co.uk/g-info/rk=XUSA
2. AAIB: https://assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/media/5423036840f0b61342000af3/Cessna_A150k__G-XUSA__12-87.pdf
3. CAP 667 Review of General Aviation Fatal Accidents 1985-1994
Accident investigation:
 |
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Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 25-Nov-2009 21:00 | andrewaircraft | Added |
| 06-Sep-2011 00:19 | Andy C | Updated [Total occupants, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 20-May-2013 18:59 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Time, Source, Narrative] |
| 14-Nov-2014 02:57 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 14-Nov-2014 02:59 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Narrative] |
| 10-Jan-2015 13:45 | Sully | Updated [Narrative] |
| 27-Feb-2015 18:13 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Narrative] |
| 21-Dec-2015 12:22 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Operator, Location, Source, Narrative] |
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