Crash at Blackpool Airport caused by passenger panic attack

The incident took place at Blackpool Airport on June 8 in a Pitts S-2A aerobatic biplane as the pilot attempted to return the vehicle to the hangar.

While preparing for take-off the passenger, who had no experience of flying, became uncomfortable and began to have a panic attack.

The pilot, who had almost 420 hours of flying experience, immediately aborted the flight and returned to the hangar, but during the passenger’s panic attack he accidentally hit the throttle meaning the pilot was unable to stop the aircraft or avoid a collision.

The plane crashed into another aircraft which was parked up and also collided with a metal post, causing damage to both planes; the Pitts S-2A’s wing and propellor, and tailplane and fuselage of the parked aircraft.

Blackpool Airport (Image: Council)

Neither the pilot or passenger were injured in the incident, with Air Accidents Investigation Branch, which looked into the incident concluding the pilot was not at fault for the crash.

Its report read: “On the day of the accident, the pilot decided to take one of his employees for a flight.

“The passenger had previously asked to go flying on several occasions.

“The pilot prepared the aircraft and briefed the passenger. The pilot reported he explained what they would do during the flight, how to get in and out and what to do if the passenger felt unwell.

“He strapped the passenger in, checked his comfort and instructed him to keep his hands on the safety straps and not to touch any controls. The passenger reported to the AAIB that he was feeling ‘good’ at this point.

“The passenger reported he felt cooped up and could only see the sky. He stated that he started to feel worried when taxiing and requested not to fly.

“The pilot obtained a clearance to return to the hangar. When the aircraft was on the apron and about to park, the passenger recalled that he felt panicked and needed to get out.

“He began to undo his straps and attempted to open the canopy. During this process, he accidentally advanced the throttle.

“The pilot reported the passenger did not respond to his instruction to wait and calm down. The pilot said he had his hand on the throttle during the taxi, but it was ripped out of his grip.

“He stated he cut the engine and attempted to brake but could not avoid colliding with a parked aircraft and a vertical post.”

The pilot flies with passengers 60 per cent of the time and the passenger said he trusted him and had never had a panic attack before, but conceded an aerobatic aircraft may not have been the best choice for his first flying experience.

In its conclusion, the AAIB said: “The pilot immediately cancelled the flight when he became aware the passenger was uncomfortable.

“This averted a more serious outcome, but he was not able to prevent the collision caused by the passenger inadvertently advancing the throttle.

“It is not possible to eliminate all risk from unexpected passenger behaviour.”

The AAIB’s only recommendation was to ensure pre-flight preparations focus both on a passenger’s physical and emotional readiness for flight to try and minimise any risks.