Pilot tells of mid air collision (From The Oxford Times)

Pilot tells of mid air collision

1:56pm Monday 13th February 2012 in News

A GLIDER pilot has this morning told of the moment his aircraft was in a mid-air collision with an RAF training plane.

The incident, above Drayton near Abingdon, killed 15-year-old cadet Nicholas Langley-Rice and Flight Lieutenant Mike Blee, 62, on June 14, 2009.

Their inquest is being held at Oxford coroner's court at Old County Hall.

Glider pilot Albert 'Henry' Freeborn today told of the moment his glider was struck by the RAF Tutor T Mk1, which he believed was trying to perform a loop.

Mr Freeborn was able to parachute to safety but has since suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.

Earlier, pathologist Dr Kenneth Shorrock said Fl Lt Blee had a medical condition that fused the bones in his spine together, restricting his movement.

He said he was aware that one expert believed the condition could have led to Fl Lt Blee being killed in the initial impact rather than when the plane hit the ground.

Dr Shorrock said he could not rule out such a possibility.

The hearing, in front of a jury, is expected to last six days.