Coates death crash pilot is named
TRIBUTES have been paid to, Francis Ball a pilot who was killed fulfilling his passion for flying near Whittlesey on Sunday (7 November).
TRIBUTES have been paid to, Francis Ball a pilot who was killed fulfilling his passion for flying near Whittlesey on Sunday (7 November).Police have today named Francis Ball (70), of Tholomas Drove, Wisbech St Mary, near Wisbech, as the pilot who died when his light aircraft crashed in a remote stretch of the River Nene in Coates, near Whittlesey, on Sunday.
Leading the tributes, Wisbech St Mary parish councillor and neighbour Tony Fowler said: "All I can say is 'what a nice gentleman'. We were fairly close neighbours and friends.
"Francis was a farmer until he retired. He was very well known in Wisbech St Mary and was married with a son.
"But his passion was flying. He has been flying solo from a very young age. Although he wouldn't fly as far as he used to, he would still regularly go out flying."
An investigation into the crash has been launched by the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) but they have already ruled out the possibility of an electrical fault.
However, the definite case would not be known until the smashed wooden pieces of the plane are moved to the AAIB's hangar in Farnborough over the next few days where it will be closely analysed.
The single-seater home-built Taylor Titch Landplane, marked with the registration G-Miss, was found floating in the stretch of river known as Morton's Leam, near Eldernell Lane.
The plane crashed into the water at about 3.15pm on Sunday, but it is not yet know where Mr Ball had been or where he was heading to. It is also not known whether Mr Ball issued a distress signal before the plane went down.
A rescue effort was launched by emergency services, but it is believed Mr Ball, who was flying alone, died on impact. A post mortem examination showed Mr Ball died of multiple injuries.
Coroner for North and East Cambridgeshire William Morris is expected to open and adjourn the inquest into the death of Mr Ball in Wisbech later today. However, it is expected the crash investigation could take up to six months to complete.
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