FLYER Forums

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/0 ... ern-spain/

Sounds like a tragic end to a continental trip

All the signs of a classic VFR in to IMC CFIT.

Iceman

Sadly I know of the pilot and he will be known to quite a few on here, not good news for them

Gas Guzzler, To put some minds at rest, could you indicate to the forum the home base or any other details that will subsequently come into the public domain which can be appropriately shared at this stage with all respect due to the deceased

Not sure that the families have been officially informed yet so probably not the right time to make such details known. I'm sure it won't be long before names are released to the press.

Reg on PPRuNe, possible name given on FB. 21 comments

The red tops are naming.

The Sun article is quite extensive and even shows tweeted photos from the aircraft during the accident flight.

Iceman

BBC news giving full details of two on board and interviews with people known to the two victims. Sounds like it's a very sad day for a great many people.

Absolutely terrible news they will both be sorely missed.

R.I.P

Very sad.

DH has maintained our PA28 for at least the fifteen years that I have been in the group, probably 20. A real character and General Aviation stalwart.

Indeed a huge loss to us in the South East.

DH introduced me to the joys of aircraft maintenance in 2002 when I bought my first aircraft and came with me to Germany to do a pre-purchase inspection on the Horizon in 2004. He helped me get the aircraft on the G reg and up until the change to a Ptf allowed me to maintain my aircraft at both Deanland and Spilsted. He did my biennial check and also checked out Pilots new to the group. He was hugely knowledgeable about all aspects of buying/selling and maintaining light aeroplanes and he had found a company in Portugal who were painting and refurbishing aircraft that David owned or who his customers owned. He was a cautious and professional pilot extremely well qualified for both VFR and IFR flying and this tragedy is perplexing.

Blue Skies David RIP.

Shocking news indeed !
I didn't know the guy named in the newspaper article , but certainly knew the second person in the aircraft.
Also a massively experienced pilot/instructor/engineer and to perish in this manner is a stark reminder that , 'there for the grace of God'.

I first met DH when I moved my aeroplane into the hangar straight across from his maintenance shop at Deanland.
We were both a bit guarded towards each other at first , but it soon became apparent that my attitudes and opinions and his attitudes and opinions were very much in alignment and once we had established that we were both as grumpy as each other , we continued on like a house on fire.

One place you never found David was sitting on the fence , but despite his soft spoken manner , he had a great way of bringing people down a peg or two if he thought that they came across as 'a bit up themselves'. And that included CAA Auditors too . Although I believe he was very highly regarded by many at Aviation Hse, LGW.

One aspect of DH that is probably lesser known though , was his uncanny sixth sense in sniffing out keen and motivated youngsters to train up in his workshop and he had no qualms whatsoever in imparting his massive knowledge, skills and experience to them in all areas . Including rib-stitching /fabric work , woodwork , tin-bashing . mag. timing ,,,,,in fact , everything required to progress on to a successful career as a licensed aircraft engineer . And I know several young men who went out into the big world of aviation with knowledge way above their years , thanks to David .

He will be sadly missed . But his legacy lives on .

Not sure how many of you know DH’s early working life.
I got to know him in the 70’s when we both worked as Aviation insurance brokers for rival firms. We were always trying to take business off each other and used to have fun winding each other up. In those days the Lloyd’s community was great fun and although all rivals, we used to drink together and socialise. We had also flown together at Redhill and Biggin.
In the late 80’s he was lured away from Broking to work with the CAA at Gatwick, but eventually left to pursue his real love of working on aircraft and buying and selling.
The last time I saw him was a few years ago, when I flew my RV6 down to Deanland. We spent a morning reminiscing and his dry sense of humour was just the same as always. He will be missed by many.

john ball wrote:Not sure how many of you know DH’s early working life.

I did not, thanks for sharing.