Pilot made mayday call before water in engine caused fatal crash

A Scots pilot made a mayday call before his private aircraft crashed into a hillside in Fife.

Nicholas Denison-Pender, from Perthshire, died days before Christmas after losing engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system.

The 50-year-old was the chief operating officer of SBD Automotive, an international engineering consultancy firm.

Local residents were first on the scene of the fatal crash in Kinglassie on December 23 last year.

Mr Denison-Pender was discovered with fatal injuries while the aircraft was completely destroyed.

The pilot died after the light aircraft crashed in Fife. STV News

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said an examination of the fuel system revealed “significant” water contamination that had not been removed during the pre-flight inspection.

Before the crash, Mr Denison-Pender said he was going for a “brief local flight”.

He was seen running the engine for around 20 minutes before taxiing and taking off.

Engine power was then lost after takeoff, and the pre-flight checks were found to have been “ineffective” in removing all the water present in the fuel system.

CCTV showed the plane climbing before appearing to lose control and enter a spin. Footage from the village recorded the sound of an engine misfiring and the aircraft striking the ground nearby.

Mr Denison-Pender issued a brief mayday call, according to a witness at Fife Airport where the aircraft was based.

A report on the crash detailed that the pilot held a private pilot’s licence and had 187 hours of flying experience.

Investigations into the cause of water ingress into the fuel system and possible reasons why the engine lost power around 26 minutes after being started, but not beforehand, will continue to be looked at, the AAIB said.

Mr Denison-Pender was described as enjoying the great outdoors with his family, fishing and “pursuing his passion as a private pilot”.

Andrew Hart, the CEO of SBD Automotive, said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden loss of our friend and colleague, Nicholas Denison-Pender. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

“Although Nick had only been at SBD Automotive for a few months, he brought an inspiring balance of passion, kindness, and intelligence that made a lasting impact on all who spent time with him.”