1. The Failed Approach
- The QGH approach plate shows that the final descent is made from 2000 ft MSL.
- The crash report says that the handover to the GCA was made after the aircraft had been controlled down to 2500 ft, 5 miles from the airfield.
- From the paper’s coverage of the inquest, the cloud base was at 3500 ft and 5 miles visibility.
a) Why would the flight be controlled to within 5 miles at 2500 ft? If on a straight-in approach or to join the pattern, the aircraft should have been at 1500 ft at this range.
b) How can the flight be controlled down below the cloud base to within visual range of the airfield. Then end up 50 miles away above the cloud?
2. Navigation
- The NF 11 was equipped with Gee Mkii and the AI MkX radar.
a) Could these have been used to navigate? Was the aircraft really lost
Divert airfield
What weather did the crew see north at Acklington?
Gloster Meteor WD778 