Plane crashes and flips at Swansea Airport after 'pilot error' leaves two injured

A plane crashat a UK airport has left two people injured after the aircraft overturned on the runway.

The incident occurred on Saturday, 19 July, atSwansea Airport when a privately-owned single-engine light sports aircraft veered to the left and overturned upon landing after a leisurely flight around the Gower. The plane was significantly damaged in the crash, leaving it beyond repair.

Skydive Swansea, which was also operating from the airport that day, assisted at the scene and used its vehicle to move the damaged aircraft back to its hangar following the crash. An investigation into the incident has been launched by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

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The pilot, an 84 year old man, and his passenger, a 78 year old woman, were rushed to Morriston Hospital in Swansea by the Welsh Ambulance Service, but thankfully, they did not sustain any serious injuries.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police stated: "Officers attended Swansea Airport on Saturday, 19 July at around 4.30pm following a report of an overturned aircraft. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here", reports Wales Online.

"Neither the pilot, an 84-year-old man from Sketty, or the passenger, a 78-year-old woman from Reading, Berkshire, have sustained any serious injuries. The cause of the crash is believed to be pilot error. No concerns were raised regarding the pilot's fitness to fly."

A representative for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service revealed: "At 4.28pm on Saturday, July 19, crews from Swansea west and Swansea central fire stations were called to an incident at Swansea Airport.

"Crews responded to a light aircraft overturned on the runway. Two casualties were reported and left in the care of the ambulance service. Special Service Core (SSC), police and ambulance were also in attendance. Crews left the scene at 5.44pm".

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched an investigation into the accident. A spokeswoman stated: "An accident involving a light aircraft which occurred at Swansea airport was reported to the AAIB on Saturday, July 19. An investigation has begun."

Currently, the council-owned Swansea Airport is being temporarily managed by volunteers from the Swansea Airport Stakeholders Alliance after the previous operator relinquished its lease. The group is now awaiting a council decision on whether they will be granted the lease full time.

Despite currently being unlicensed, this does not impact the aviation activities taking place at the airport.

The alliance took over after the council announced that a change of operator was imminent due to a "range of issues" with the previous operator, Swansea Airport Ltd, resulting in the termination of the lease.

Speaking at the time, Swansea Airport Ltd director Roy Thomas said he had subsidised the facility for years, had been taking steps to rectify issues, and that he intended to bid for a future long-term lease.