Aircraft crash which killed two men described by accident investigators

A light aircraft crash so close to the M1 that a motorist filmed the incidenthas been described by accident investigators.

Pilot John Gill, 70, and his passenger Alan Eaves, 76, were both killed whentheir Cessna F1501 crashed nose-first near Hucknall Airfield in Nottinghamshire.

Several eyewitness in cars on the M1 were able to provide evidence of theaircraft's last moments to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).

Also, a vehicle travelling southbound on the M1 was equipped with aforward-facing video camera which captured part of the accident sequence.

In a report today, the AAIB said it had received this video via Nottinghamshire Police and that it showed the aircraft flying straight for around eight seconds before commencing a left turn.

It then appeared to turn through 90 degrees before rolling sharply to the leftand entering a vertical rotating descent.

The AAIB said the video indicated that the Cessna was about 100ft above the ground when it was first filmed.

The report said the aircraft came to rest in a crop field. The AAIB concluded:

"The aircraft stalled and entered an incipient spin, probably following a partial loss of engine power - the cause of which could not be determined."

Both Mr Gill, from Belper, Derbyshire, and Mr Eaves, from Selston,Nottinghamshire, were members of the Merlin Flying Club at Hucknall from where they had taken off on the day of the crash on June 14 2014.

Father-of-two Mr Gill was a member of the Derby Cathedral Voluntary Choir. Mr Eaves also held a private pilot's licence.