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PLANE CRASH TRAGEDY

Private plane crash that killed family of four may have been caused by dad ‘pressing wrong button’ as he tried to land

Investigation found he may have manually taken control of the aircraft while it was still in autopilot

A PILOT and his family died in a crash because he may have pressed the wrong button during landing, air investigators said.
Philip Garvey, 56, failed to turn off his autopilot as he tried to land in poor weather, a report out yesterday said.

Philip Garvey, wife Ann, daughter Emily and son Daniel were all killed in a plane crash last November
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Philip Garvey, wife Ann, daughter Emily and son Daniel were all killed in a plane crash last NovemberCredit: [email protected]
According to a report into the crash, the dad might have caused it by taking manual control while it was still on autopilot
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According to a report into the crash, the dad might have caused it by taking manual control while it was still on autopilotCredit: PA

The blunder caused the six-seater Piper Malibu Mirage to climb sharply before nosediving into the ground at Dunkeswell Airfield, near Honiton, Devon.
Philip, wife Ann, 55, daughter Emily, 23, and son Daniel, 20, of Woking, Surrey, died last November.

Tragically they were approaching their destination at Dunkeswell Airfield in east Devon when it happened
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Tragically they were approaching their destination at Dunkeswell Airfield in east Devon when it happenedCredit: [email protected]

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch report said: “The evidence suggested that the autopilot may not have been disengaged due to a mental lapse, incorrect button selection or a technical fault.”

Attempting to land with the autopilot on would have caused the plane to lurch upwards.

Relatives of Emily Garvey and her family were devastated by the tragic accident
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Relatives of Emily Garvey and her family were devastated by the tragic accidentCredit: PA

The experts added that software firm director Philip, who had been flying since 2012, may not have had the skill to deal with the problem.

Instructors reported he was “poor at prioritising, especially under pressure”.

She and brother Daniel went to St John the Baptist School where they lived in Woking, Surrey
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She and brother Daniel went to St John the Baptist School where they lived in Woking, SurreyCredit: PA

 

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The community was rocked by their deaths as the pair were 'well liked'
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The community was rocked by their deaths as the pair were 'well liked'Credit: [email protected]
The investigation found dad Philip had trouble operating it in poor conditions
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The investigation found dad Philip had trouble operating it in poor conditionsCredit: SWNS
He had bought the plane back in 2013
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He had bought the plane back in 2013Credit: WALES NEWS SERVICE

 

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