The UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has released an interim report into the crash that killed footballer Emiliano Sala on 21st January while travelling from Nantes in France to Cardiff.
The accident occurred on 21 January 2019 at 2016 hrs. The wreckage was located on 3 February 2019 on the seabed approximately 22 nm north-north-west of Guernsey, within 100 m of the last radar point recorded by the radar at Guernsey and at a depth of 68 m.
The accident occurred on 21 January 2019 at 2016 hrs. The wreckage was located on 3 February 2019 on the seabed approximately 22 nm north-north-west of Guernsey, within 100 m of the last radar point recorded by the radar at Guernsey and at a depth of 68 m.
Toxicology tests on carried out on the body of the 28-year-old soccer star showed carbon monoxide levels in his blood there were high enough to cause a seizure, unconsciousness or even a heart attack. According to the report "A COHb level of more than 50% in an otherwise healthy person is generally considered to be potentially fatal." the level found in Sala's blood was 58%.
It's highly likely similar levels of carbon monoxide would have effected the pilot, 59-year-old David Ibbotson, whose body has not been found in the wreckage.
The AAIB is continuing its investigation and is currently working with the Piper Malibu's makers in the USA to examine how the carbon monoxide could have got inside the cabin. "The investigation continues to look into a wide range of areas in relation to this accident, but in particular we are looking at the potential ways in which carbon monoxide can enter the cabin in this type of aircraft." one of the investigators said on Wednesday.
The full report into the crash will be released next year.
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