The UK Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has recorded inconclusive findings regarding the cause of the Piper Seneca crash at Newmarket racecourse last year which killed pilot Patrick Mackey and injured leading jockeys Frankie Dettori and Ray Cochrane.

Flying on a freelance basis carrying passengers to and from race meetings, Mackey had flown on

the Newmarket landing strip on many previous occasions, usually in a Cessna 303. Due to the Cessna being unavailable, the pilot had been flying the Seneca during the four days preceding the accident on 1 June, 2000.

Although Mackey was not required to complete specific training for the Seneca, the pilot had extensive experience of this type of flight operation – having been engaged on such work for the previous two seasons.

Witnesses of the accident report seeing the Piper Seneca bumping and bouncing an unusual amount as it accelerated along the runway. The passengers reported that there were several hops into the air followed by the nose pitching down, the last of which resulted in a hard impact with the ground.

According to more witnesses, smoke or vapour was seen coming from the aircraft as it became airborne, it then immediately began turning to the right, hit a 25-foot-high dyke, cartwheeled onto the ground below and caught fire.

Dettori and Cochrane, seated in the two rear seats, were able to escape through the rear baggage hatch which had partially opened on impact. Despite Cochrane’s attempts to assist Mackey, the pilot was unable to escape from the intense heat of the fire.

Investigation of the crash site has suggested that the take-off run was ostensibly normal until the right main and nose wheels and propeller struck the ground. The AAIB says that the pilot would have heard the noise of the propeller ground contact but not necessarily been able to identify the source. The report goes on to suggest that there remains a possibility that Mackey thought some other event, such as a landing gear problem, had occurred and could account for his decision to continue the take-off.

In conclusion the report states that the aircraft was probably being affected by considerable asymmetric thrust and drag. The fact that it continued turning to the right suggests that Mackey was unable to maintain directional control. The slight climb achieved is consistent with there having been some thrust contribution from the damaged right propeller.