The coroner into the death of Premier League footballer Emiliano Sala has warned there could be more fatalities unless the UK government takes action to stop illegal aircraft charters, which are particularly common in the sport and music industries.
Rachel Griffin, senior coroner for Dorset, oversaw Sala’s inquest in Bournemouth this month and has now written to UK transport secretary Grant Shapps and culture secretary Nadine Dorries urging them to consider giving the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) more powers to stop these illegal flights.
Cardiff City player Sala and his pilot David Ibbotson died on 21 January 2019 when an illegally chartered aircraft crashed into the English Channel.
David Henderson, who organised the flight, was sent to prison for 18 months in November 2021 for endangering the safety of an aircraft following a successful prosecution by the CAA. Read BTN Europe's analysis on what the tragedy and court case means for travel buyers.
The inquest jury found that the Argentinian footballer died from head and chest injuries, but Sala was already “deeply” unconscious before the crash. This was likely to have been caused by him being poisoned by fumes from the aircraft’s faulty exhaust system.
In Griffin’s post-inquest report to prevent future deaths, the coroner said: “In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken.”
She pointed to the CAA’s “limited powers in securing evidence to assist in the investigation of breaches of aviation regulations and such illegal flights”, as one of the key issues in preventing another similar tragedy.
“I request that the secretary of state for transport [Shapps] conducts a review of the powers available to the CAA in investigating breaches of aviation regulations,” Griffin added in her report.
She requested that Shapps should consider meeting with the CAA to “establish what powers they would find of assistance in their investigative and enforcement role”.
Griffin said the problem of illegal flights on private aircraft or charters being flown by pilots without an Air Operators Certificate (AOC) “particularly exists in the world of sport and music”.
As a result, the coroner has asked culture secretary Dorries to review guidance to the public about the risks of illegal charter flights “especially all those involved in the sporting and music world”.
Griffin’s report has also been sent to sporting bodies, including the Premier League and Football Association, and business organisations, such as the British Chamber of Commerce and Institute of Directors.
Ministers and other organisations receiving the report have until 13 May to respond to the coroner, although this period can be extended at the discretion of the coroner.
Lawyer Mamata Dutta, who is legal director in the general liability and medical team at law firm RPC, said the inquest had established that illegal private flights were “commonplace” in sectors such as sport and music.
“There is no doubt that the CAA would benefit from additional powers as an enforcement agency as part of a concerted effort to clamp down on illegal flights,” added Dutta.
“If the CAA's powers are increased in line with the views expressed, they will have the power to seize and inspect evidence without requiring police support.
“But more importantly, it is likely that it would reduce the availability of illegal flights, which pose a clear risk to the individuals who unwittingly board them without being aware that they do not meet minimum standards.”