Inquest finally to be held over plane tragedy (From Bucks Free Press)

Inquest finally to be held over plane tragedy

8:00am Saturday 21st July 2012 in News By James Nadal

AN INQUEST will finally take place into the death of a young pilot tragically killed in a mid air crash four years ago.

James Beagley died aged 34 near Coventry Airport in August 2008.

He was a passenger in a Cessna 402 aircraft which collided with a small solo-piloted plane.

His dad Alan Beagley spoke at the time of the 'absolute despair' that the death of his son, who lived in Marlow with his brother Neal, caused the family. They have been left extremely frustrated at prolonged investigations and various reports into the crash, feeling like they had been going around in circles.

The Crown Prosecution Service concluded it would not bring any charges for gross negligence manslaughter or corporate manslaughter because it found insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of prosecution. However, in early October, a inquest with a jury will take place in Warwickshire, after the end of criminal proceedings.

Mr Beagley, a retired helicopter pilot, of Strathcona Close, Flackwell Heath, said: "It's been a very long four years.

"If somebody said to me back in September 2008 that it would be four year to get an inquest I'd have called them crazy. What's been most galling is there's been nothing productive come out of four years."

Five people died in the crash in total and all families have been asked to prepare an 'impact statement' telling the jury of the effect it has had on them.

Mr Beagley said: "I've tried but haven't gone beyond a few words, I can't even think.

"To understand the impact you have to realise he was an individual who had his whole life ahead of him and the world at his feet with his career.

"The grieving process is going on all the time and it's not complete, but perhaps this will provide some comfort. "It will certainly bring some closure to the whole process."

The Air Accident Investigation Branch, part of the Department for Transport, did produce a report on the collision.

It stated, among its conclusions: "Insufficient or inaccurate information was provided to the pilots, which did not assist them in fulfilling their duty to take all possible measures to avoid collisions with other aircraft." It made one safety recommendation surrounding information air traffic services provide to pilots. - JAMES Beagley will be remembered by another spectacular air show at White Waltham Airfield on August 17, marking the fourth year of his death. Last year an incredible dazzling display featuring Battle of Britain aeroplanes took place.