Graham Hill plane crash
Elstree Airfield , Hertfordshire, United Kingdom | |
Occupants | 6 |
---|---|
Passengers | 5 |
Crew | 1 |
Fatalities | 6 |
On 29 November 1975, former
The group was returning from a trip to southern France to test the new
Background
On 28 November, the day before the accident, Hill had flown his Aztec to Le Castellet Airport, next to the
The group were at the Paul Ricard Circuit testing the team's new
Accident
At 15:30
The Piper Aztec took off from Marseille at 17:47. Contact was made with
At 21:28, the London Approach controller contacted N6645Y to pass further information; there was no reply. Shortly afterwards, radar contact was lost. The Aztec, already with its
Elstree's runway was equipped with
Around three hours earlier, a pilot of another light aircraft had attempted three approaches into Elstree, assisted with radar headings and distances to the airfield provided by London Approach. On all three attempts, descending to as low as 300 ft (90 m) AGL, the airfield lights either remained not visible or were spotted too late to proceed with the landing. The pilot eventually diverted to another airport. Visibility above the cloud layer at 1,000 ft (300 m) AMSL, was reported as very good.[6]
Aircraft
The accident aircraft was a
The aircraft was legally stateless from April 1972, although its former registration N6645Y continued to be displayed. The aircraft was operating without a
Investigation
The
No mechanical defects were discovered that would have contributed to the accident. Pilot fatigue was not considered to be a factor, and
- Error in height interpretation – In the final moments of the flight, the pilot may have misinterpreted the above mean sea level. This possibility was considered unlikely.
- Unawareness of altitude – Descending from 1500 ft with clear sky into the underlying layer of fog, the pilot may have focussed his attention on establishing visual contact with the ground, neglecting to monitor the aircraft's instruments to maintain a safe altitude.
- Error in range estimation – When approaching Elstree's runway 27, a pilot would normally overfly the town of Borehamwood, followed by an unlit patch of land immediately before the airfield. However, N6645Y was approaching the airfield from a more southerly route, and the pilot may have mistaken the lights of Barnet, visible through the fog, for those of Borehamwood, and the adjacent Arkley Golf Course for the dark patch next to the airfield. This may have led him to believe he was much closer to the airfield than he actually was, and to prematurely initiate the final descent to land. This hypothesis was considered the most likely.[6]
Aftermath
The Times reported that Hill may have over-estimated his flying ability.[11] Hill's widow, Bette, was sued for damages by the administrators of Smallman's estate. A High Court writ was issued in June 1977.[12] As Hill was uninsured, settling the case took a large portion of his money.[13]
Because the crash killed the majority of Graham Hill's own Formula One team Embassy Hill (including Hill himself and driver Tony Brise), the team was left with only the deputy team manager Allan Turner and two mechanics as its members. Embassy Hill could not continue to compete and soon the team closed down.[14][15]
References
- ^ "After cheating death 20 years, Hill killed in air crash". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Vol. 287. Florida: News-Journal Corp. Associated Press. 1 December 1975. p. 1C. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
- ^ Tremayne, David. "So Little Time". Motorsport (December 2000): 33. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ "Graham Hill, 46, Retired Racer, In Fatal Crash Piloting His Plane". The New York Times. 1 December 1975.
- ^ "Young race driver died in Graham Hill crash". The Times. No. 59566. London. 1 December 1975. col C-F, p. 1.
- ^ "Lord Snowdon missed Hill death flight". The Times. No. 59567. London. 2 December 1975. col B, p. 3.
- ^ a b c d e f g Piper PA-23 Turbo Aztec 'D' N6645Y Report on the accident at Arkley Golf Course, Arkley, Hertfordshire, on 29 November 1975 (PDF) (Report). Accidents Investigation Branch. 29 September 1976. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ Report on the accident at Arkley Golf Course, Arkley, Hertfordshire on 29 November 1975 – Appendix B (PDF) (Report). Accidents Investigation Branch. 29 September 1976. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
- ^ "FAA Registry (N6645Y)". Federal Aviation Administration.
- ISBN 978-1-5098-3190-6.
- ^ "Graham Hill inquest hears last message". The Times. No. 59674. London. 8 April 1976. col C, p. 2.
- ^ "Graham Hill 'too optimistic of flying ability'". The Times. No. 59877. London. 3 December 1976. col F, p. 7.
- ^ "Graham Hill's widow sued". The Times. No. 60026. London. 10 June 1977. col A, p. 2.
- ^ Viner, Brian (3 March 1999). "Motor racing: Hill driven on by quest for true respect". The Independent. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ "Motor racing legend Graham Hill killed in a plane crash". The Guardian. London: Guardian Newspapers. 2 December 2008. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
- ^ Bardon, P. "Report on the accident at Arkley Golf Course". AAIB Formal Reports. Air Accidents Investigations Branch. Retrieved 24 October 2011.