Author Description

"The accident was notified to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) at 1200 hrs on 21 January 1999 and an investigation commenced on the same day... The mid air collision occurred over open ground at a height of 655 feet agl some 300 metres from the western edge of the village of Mattersey, Nottinghamshire. The Cessna pilot, his passenger and both Tornado pilots were killed in the collision. After the collision the Cessna broke up in the air. The Tornado continued on its track but descended into the ground 13 seconds later. The collision initiated the ejection sequence for the front seat of the Tornado and that pilot was ejected from the aircraft but command ejection of the rear seat did not take place. The aircraft disintergrated on ground impact with the rear seat pilot still in his seat. Eyewitness evidence indicates that before the collision the Cessna had been in a prolonged left-hand manoeuvre when at 1132:25 hrs it collided with the Tornado which was flying at low level on a north-easterly heading... Ten safety recommendations have been made as a result of this accident"--Synopsis (p. 2-4)