Ice tragedy of epic trip pilot
A Bewdley businessman killed when the private plane he was piloting crashed into a Scottish mountain was not authorised to fly in icy conditions, an inquest heard.
Qualified pilot Gary Key, aged 45, of Cordel Marsh Road, died on April 5, 2008, in Scotland's Cairngorm mountains.
Mr Key, a property developer, was on an epic journey from the UK to Florida.
The father of three was flying from Carlisle to Wick when his Piper Cherokee hit severe cloud and icy conditions.
Today's inquest at Stourport Coroners Court heard Mr Key had tried to divert to Aberdeen and reduced his altitude, but the lack of visibility caused him to crash into a mountain summit.
Worcestershire Coroner Geraint Williams today gave a verdict of accidental death.
He read out the findings of a report from the Air Accident Investigations Branch of the Department of Transport.
The report stated the aircraft had not been cleared for flight in icy conditions and Mr Key did not have a qualification to fly in such severe weather.
But the report added he was an "extremely experienced" pilot and had flown an aircraft in similar conditions previously with no problem.
Mr Williams said the report had also said Mr Key had completed a course and flight test for a qualification in 2004. But his application for its issue had not been received until the validity of the test had expired.
Mr Williams said: "This was a tragic accident.
"It seems that Mr Key began flying in good weather and the conditions suddenly changed. He became confused and tried to divert the plane, which is when the crash occurred."
