Probe into fatal Shifnal microlight crash is ongoing, say accident investigators
Investigations into a fatal microlight crash that killed two people in Shifnal earlier this year are still ongoing.
The microlight, which came down in May, crashed into the field off Shaw Lane and investigators at the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) say they are still working on a report which will outline the reasons behind the crash.
Former RAF man Michael Sumner and his friend Tony Crocombe, both from Market Drayton, were killed when the microlight appeared to lose power before entering a steep descent to the ground on the evening of May 30.
Mr Crocombe, who was born in Lancaster, was an aircraft engineer and Mr Sumner, was a records officer at Stoke Heath Prison.
The two men were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash and a post mortem examination identified the cause of death as multiple injuries for both Mr Crocombe and Mr Sumner.
It later emerged that Mr Crocombe had bought the aircraft just the month before.
The Rans S6 Coyote II aircraft had been built in 1992 and had several different owners.
An inquest heard that the aircraft was a home-built kit variety which had been made in 1992 and bought by Mr Crocombe in April – only a month before the crash.
Shropshire coroner John Ellery heard that the aircraft had taken off from an airstrip at Market Drayton and was headed to Shifnal.
Both men possessed current and valid fitness to fly certificates, although the inquest was told that it had not been established which of them had been flying.
Investigations into the cause of the crash were launched by the AAIB shortly after, with the wreckage taken to Farnborough for examination.
The report into how the plane crashed will enter into a consultation stage when it is finished, before being released to the public.
The AAIB says it is not sure when the report will be completed.
A statement from Mr Sumner's family following the crash described him as a devoted grandfather.
They wrote: "Michael lived for flying and it was his life as well as his two grandchildren who he idolised. He died happy doing what he loved."
Lydia Santis, from Cobham Aviation Services where Mr Crocombe worked, described him as a well-respected and popular man.
He said: "Cobham were very sad to hear of Tony Crocombe's passing; our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."
