Microlight pilot who survived 1,000ft plunge after tail snapped mid-flight receives £100,000 from plane-maker

By
Graham Smith

Last updated at 9:34 PM on 3rd February 2012

Survivor: Jim Martin miraculously lived after plunging 1,000ft from the sky after the the tail of the microlight he was piloting snapped off midway through a flight

Survivor: Jim Martin miraculously lived after plunging 1,000ft from the sky after the the tail of the microlight he was piloting snapped off midway through a flight

A crash survivor who dodged death after the microlight he was flying fell apart in mid-air has been awarded more than £100,000 in compensation.

Jim Martin miraculously survived a 1,000ft plunge from the sky after the aircraft’s tail snapped off midway through a flight.

The microlight was sent spinning through the air before smashing into the ground at Burgham Golf Course near Morpeth, Northumberland.

The 54-year-old, who was once a paramedic for the Great North Air Ambulance and has also flown for the police, managed to navigate the plane into some trees to save his life and that of his only passenger Jon Kerr.

Following the accident in December 2007, both Mr Martin, from Rothbury, Northumberland, and Mr Kerr, from nearby Wylam, suffered terrible injuries.

Mr Martin suffered a brain injury and fractures to both legs. He was left unable to pursue his dream of becoming a commercial pilot, still suffers pain and will need a stick to help him walk for the rest of his life.

Mr Kerr, who has survived two other hair-raising accidents in his flying career, was left with two broken legs, smashed ankles, a broken arm, skull fracture and broken jaw.

The pair took legal action against the aircraft’s French manufacturer Dyn’ Aero, which denied liability.

But an Air Accidents Investigation found aluminium bolts used to attach the microlight’s tail-plane to the fin had corroded.

And after their solicitors argued successfully that the bolts were defective the pilots each won six-figure sums.

Mr Martin, who is currently working in the United Arab Emirates after being head-hunted to train police and ambulance helicopter crews, said: ‘The last five years have been a mental and physical battle, but we were both determined that we wouldn’t let this accident stop us from living our lives.’

Mr Kerr said: ‘This hasn’t been about the money, but about proving that the accident wasn’t our fault.

‘We did everything correctly that day. We could have died. It was only Jim’s skill which saved us.’

Paul Brown, from Thompson’s Solicitors, said: ‘Mr Martin and Mr Kerr have shown bravery and strength in the way they have dealt with their very serious injuries.

‘Both have tackled their extensive rehabilitation with courage and have gone on to find alternative employment, despite the hurdles their ongoing injuries create.

‘They are an inspiration and we are delighted we have been able to achieve this judgement.’

Wreckage: The microlight is towed away from Burgham Golf Course near Morpeth, Northumberland, after the crash in December 2008

Wreckage: The microlight is towed away from Burgham Golf Course near Morpeth, Northumberland, after the crash in December 2008

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He has had 3 plane accidents all up – very lucky man! If I were him I’d be staying on the ground for a long while.

Don’t think much of their grub either.

Wow, he must feel like the luckiest man in the world!

I read the report mentioned by Brian in Coventry and it states that the maintenance records were not available for examination. I’m not a pilot but to me that’s a red flag indicating that the maintenance schedule was not adhered to.

Tailplane attachment lugs not bolts. The aluminium lugs have been replaced with stainless steel components. See the AAIB report Dyn’Aero MCR-01 ULC, G-BZXG 02/2009 for the full story
on the accident:

Several observations come out of this incident:- Several small French aircraft have crashed in the past – one famous one was the flying flea. You cannot inspect these aluminium bolts as they are hidden inside the tailplane structure. Mr Martin was young enough five years ago when this accident happened to do his commercial pilot’s licence(read the article before commenting Al). He already had air experience in helicopters. Being head hunted is not being big headed. It’s just a fact.

“Mr Kerr, who has survived two other hair-raising accidents in his flying career”……….I must make sure this jinx is never on the same manifest as me when I fly.

Not being an expert on microlights but isn,t it the responsibility of the owner to periodicaly check it over, it is an aircraft after all and as proven by this story, its a long way to fall when it breaks down.
– steve, walsall, ‘periodicaly check it over’ yes. but take a relatively new aircraft apart bolt by bolt is a bit excessive don’t you think ? Why would you even need to touch a part like this, unless it was stated expressly in the maintenance sheet ? A crucial part like this should be fit for purpose, if it failed so spectacularly there is clearly a problem with it. I have no doubt the company has now contacted all previous buyers of this model of microlight with these bolts has started retro-fitting a better quality, stronger version, ……. they would be negligent not to. This accident could have actually served to save lives, so in some way, due to this incident the companies reputation has been partially saved.

A bit old to dream of being a commercial pilot isn’t he?

I hate people who say they were “Head hunted” for a particular job.
Big headed or what

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