Blackgang Cessna 182 crash - May 1961

On May 5th 1961, a single-engined Cessna 182 carrying three young men from Bournemouth crashed into the mist covered St Catherine's Down above Blackgang, Isle of Wight - all three men were killed.

The Cessna was one of a number of single engined aircraft which was to be escorted by the RAF from Portsmouth Airport over the English Channel to an Air Rally in Jersey. The briefing by the RAF at Portsmouth Airport told the pilots to climb to 3000 feet to pass over the Island.

After taking off from Portsmouth the Cessna 182, piloted by a salesman for Airwork Services, an experienced pilot, with his brother and a friend onboard, crashed in to St Catherine's Down. The crash occurred at a height of about 750 feet, some 31 feet below the top of the down.

Investigations showed there was nothing wrong with the aircraft, it had sufficient fuel and was not overloaded. The Ministry of Aviation Inspector told the inquest that the aircraft was being flown according to visual flight rules, so the pilot could choose to fly at whatever height he wished.

The inquest returned 'accidental death' verdicts on all three men.