Piper Aztec 250 G-AYSF

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BELOW: A typical Piper PA-E (Aztec) Series 250 light aircraft.

A Piper Aztec 250 in flight

Photo: 'Fly-by-Owen'

Released by the author to the public domain under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or later. [Wikimedia]

A French registered Piper Aztec 250.

french registered piper aztec

Photo: 2009 'DoudouZ'

Released by the author to the public domain under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or later. [Wikimedia]

Aircraft Type and Background

General Aviation Piper PA-E-23 (Aztec) Series 250 / G-AYSF

First entering production in 1954, the Piper Aztec was a light aircraft designed for company or private use, or for private air charters.

The Apache / Aztec was Piper's first twin-engine aircraft.

The earlier versions of this light aircraft were known as Piper Apaches and were equipped with either four or five seats. Later, modified versions were known as Piper Aztecs. These were equipped with six seats and more powerful engines.

In 1958, Piper produced an upgraded version of the Apache, equipped with two 250hp Lycoming I0-540-C4B5 engines. This aircraft was designated the PA-23-250 and was renamed Aztec. The aircraft featured on this page (a PA-E-23 (Aztec) 250) was of this type. (The letter E in the designation code indicates a variant with a longer pointed nose and a single piece windshield.)

BELOW: The instrument panel of a Piper Aztec 250 light aircraft.

piper aztec instrument panel

Photo released by author under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License. [Wikimedia]

Aircraft Accident Details

Piper Aztec G-AYSF was on a charter flight from Blackpool Airport to Perth Airport at New Scone [map] in Scotland.

The aircraft maintained contact with Air Traffic Control until shortly after passing over the Scottish Borders, heading for Talla VOR / DME¹—the air traffic control beacon located on the summit of Broad Law, W of Megget Reservoir.

However, the aircraft failed to arrive over the VOR. It had crashed at a high rate of descent into Great Hill [map] about 3.5nm short of Talla VOR and about 7nm NE of Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway.

On impact with the ground, the resulting fuel spillage caused an intense fire, reducing much of the aircraft to ashes.

Footnote 1:

VOR: VHF Omnidirectional Range (navigation system).

DME: Distance Measuring Equipment

Air Accident Investigation Branch Report

At the subsequent AAIB Inquiry, it was believed that the pilot lost control of the aircraft when the left engine failed—due, apparently to a severe oil leak—and he was unable to feather the propeller on that engine. Consequently, the aircraft began to lose height rapidly until it spun into the hillside.

The AAIB report does not specifically name Great Hill as the crash site. However, from the Lat / Lon coordinates provided by them, this is the nearest hill of approximately 2,500ft (the elevation specified in the Report).

The full Air Accident Investigation Branch Report can be seen here.

Aircraft Crew / Passenger Casualties

All six occupants (the pilot (23) and five passengers) died in this accident. At the moment, all except one of these names are unknown.

The one passenger whose name is known was Bill Fehilly. Millionaire and bingo hall owner, Bill Fehilly was manager of two very popular Scottish Rock Bands: Nazareth, and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band.