AN engine fault and poor weather conditions contributed to a light aircraft crash which tragically took the lives of a Cookhill couple and caused life- threatening injuries to their young son. 

The tragedy killed Lewis Tonkinson, aged 50, who had been piloting the plane, and his wife Sally, 44, and left their six-year-old son George with life-threatening injuries. 

Mr Tonkinson, who had more than 200 hours piloting experience, was flying his 2011built Alpi Pioneer 400 from Bembridge Airfield, Isle of Wight before it crashed near Popham Airfield just before 3.30pm on Saturday, January 3 last year. 

Son George, a pupil at King's Hawford Junior School in Worcester, was taken to Southampton General Hospital before making a speedy recovery. 

An Air Accidents Investigation Branch investigation report published on Thursday, March 10 said occasional low cloud and poor visibility may have meant Mr Tonkinson was sometimes unable to see the ground. 

It said the aircraft approached Popham Airfield and manoeuvred as if preparing to land, before continuing in what appeared to be a low level, left-hand circuit and at that time, the aircraft stalled and hit trees before smashing to the ground. 

The report identified a defect with the engine turbocharger control which could have cause the engine to seize in flight.

The report said: "When the pilot reached the mainland coast it was likely that he saw a deterioration in the weather that eroded the safety margins for VFR (visual flight rules) flight. At this early stage, it would have been prudent to divert to a suitable nearby airfield or to have turned back to Bembridge. 

"Whilst a very specific defect occurred on this aircraft, the engine was still capable of being operated safely with an increased level of pilot monitoring and awareness. The engine most likely only stopped as a result of the throttle being moved by the pilot to a setting where a damaging level of manifold pressure was reached. 

"The poor weather conditions at Popham meant the pilot, who had limited flying experience, especially on this aircraft type, had to fly below the normal circuit height. This would have increased his workload and reduced the time available in which to make critical decisions. 

"When combined with the additional workload created by the engine fault, this may have led to the circumstances surrounding the failure of the engine and would then have limited the options available when confronted with the need to perform a forced landing."