Investigators have determined that the plane crash near Fife Airport last year, which tragically resulted in the death of pilot Nicholas Denison-Pender, was caused by water entering the engine and leading to a loss of power. The incident occurred near Kinglassie on December 23. The UK’s Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) released a preliminary report stating that the take-off was normal, but significant water contamination in the fuel system remained unresolved during the pre-flight inspection.
The aircraft, owned by Mr. Denison-Pender and based at Fife Airport near Glenrothes, experienced a misfiring engine as captured by CCTV footage in Kinglassie, located a mile south-west of the crash site. Witnesses heard a brief mayday call from the pilot before the tragic accident. The investigation revealed that there was substantial water contamination in the airplane’s fuel system, prompting ongoing efforts to determine the source of the water ingress.
The AAIB report highlighted the likelihood of drawing a large amount of water from the sump drains, mistakenly identified as clean fuel rather than water due to the significant volume of water found post-accident. Colleagues of Nicholas Denison-Pender expressed admiration for his remarkable blend of passion, kindness, and intelligence in a heartfelt tribute following the devastating plane crash. The investigation continues to unravel the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident that claimed the life of the experienced pilot from Perthshire
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