An RAF doctor left out medical details when reviewing the health of an Abingdon pilot who later died in a plane crash with a teenage passenger, a tribunal ruled yesterday.
Dr Douglas Wyper said Flt Lt Mike Blee was fit to fly in 2005 after recognising the retired RAF officer’s back condition had resulted in an “abnormal spine”.
But when he examined the pilot annually for the next three years, to revalidate his pilot’s licence, he found he had a “normal spine”, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service tribunal has heard.
Flt Lt Blee, 62, and air cadet Nicholas Rice, 15, died when their light aircraft hit a glider in Drayton, near Abingdon, in June 2009.
A coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death in 2012 after hearing a slight jolt could have broken the pilot’s spine.
Dr Wyper is now facing misconduct charges at a fitness to practise hearing in Manchester as a result of the inquest.
The panel, chaired by David Flinter, yesterday found there was not enough evidence to conclude Dr Wyper had not performed the examination.
The hearing is expected to finish tomorrow.
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