Passenger Takes Control, Plane Crashes on Busy Gloucestershire Road

A plane crash in Gloucestershire occurred when a pilot permitted a passenger to take control of the aircraft, leading to serious injuries for both individuals onboard. The incident involved a Grob 109B motorglider, which crashed onto a busy road near Aston Down Airfield in August 2023, according to a report from the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB).

The pilot, Christopher Tooze, aged 70, was flying with a man who is noted for his significant profile within the gliding community. The AAIB report revealed that Tooze allowed this passenger to control the aircraft during the final approach. Both men suffered injuries, with the passenger sustaining serious spinal damage that required several days in the hospital.

According to the AAIB findings, the crash was attributed to “inappropriate control inputs” made by the passenger, who was seated in the right rear seat. The passenger reportedly placed his right hand on the control column while his left hand was on the engine controls. Although he stated he did not intend to land the aircraft, he continued to maneuver it through the turn onto the final approach. The approach was conducted at an airspeed of 60-70 knots, with the intention of flying in gliding mode.

The investigation indicated that the passenger should have positioned his left hand on the control column and his right hand on the airbrakes during this phase of flight. Notably, the report highlighted that Tooze did not attempt to regain control from the passenger, nor did the passenger verbally confirm that the pilot had control of the aircraft.

After the crash, emergency services quickly arrived on the scene to assist the two occupants. While Tooze managed to exit the aircraft independently, the passenger required extraction by ambulance paramedics. Eyewitnesses noted that the plane appeared to stall before it nose-dived onto the main road, resulting in a chaotic scene as motorists witnessed the crash unfold.

The AAIB report confirmed that no technical faults were found with the Grob 109B, but it ultimately deemed the aircraft as damaged beyond economic repair. In response to the incident, a spokesperson for Gloucestershire Police advised motorists that road closures were in effect while emergency crews worked at the site.

This incident underscores the critical importance of pilot control and communication in aviation safety, particularly during critical phases of flight.