AIR CRASH INQUEST: ‘I’d never have allowed him to fly’ (From The Oxford Times)

AIR CRASH INQUEST: ‘I’d never have allowed him to fly’

9:10am Friday 17th February 2012 in News

THE mother of a 15-year-old boy killed in a mid-air collision told an inquest that had she known about the pilot’s medical condition she would not have allowed her son to fly with him.

Nicholas Rice’s mother Julie said her own uncle suffered from Ankylosing Sponylitis, and she knew about the devastating effects of the disease.

It was the same condition suffered by pilot Flt Lt Mike Blee, who was controlling the plane when it collided with a glider during a lesson over Drayton in 2009.

The crash killed Nicholas and Flt Lt Blee, of St Mary’s Green, Abingdon. Glider pilot Albert Freeborn managed to parachute safely to the ground.

Mrs Rice, of Reading, said: “I signed Nik’s log book on the understanding that the RAF knew exactly what they were doing or I wouldn't have signed it. I now believe they failed him on both counts."

She added: “If I’d have known Nik was flying with someone with such severe difficulties I would never have allowed it.”

Speaking on behalf of the Blee family, the pilot’s son Alasdair told the inquest his father was an active man, who had never been held back by his condition.

The hearing continues.