EX-RAF pilot died after ejecting from ‘broken’ jet

A FORMER RAF pilot, who was killed after he ejected from a military jet over the Alps, was told only days before the tragedy that the aircraft was “broken”, his widow has revealed.

David Ashley, 49, from Poole, Dorset, died on March 16 while carrying out a familiarisation flight in the M-346 fighter attack aircraft when it crashed on Monte Legnone, near Colico in Lombardy.

The father of two had been employed to train other pilots to fly the plane. He was flying with a flight commander, Giampaolo Goattin, 53, when he lost control as the jet made a second loop. According to lawyers representing the Ashley family, Mr Goattin, who survived the crash, gave the order to eject.

Mr Ashley’s widow, Heather, is suing the manufacturer, Leonardo SPA, through the High Court for compensation of more than £1million.

A pre-inquest hearing in Bournemouth was told Mr Ashley had received a voicemail message from Mr Goattin on March 8 saying the flight was postponed to March 16 as the “jet is broken”.

The hearing was told that the aircraft involved in the crash had reportedly been sold to the Turkmenistan air force and had been returned to Italy for modifications, but it was not clear whether these alterations had been made.

Rachael Griffin, the Dorset coroner, said the public prosecutor’s office was investigating the crash and an initial report was expected in March, with further legal proceedings expected to follow.

She said this would have an impact on when a full inquest could be heard into Mr Ashley’s death, but her office would continue its own investigations.

James Healy-pratt, representing the Ashley family, said that a similar model of the jet, the M-346AJT, had been flown in Britain since the accident.

He said: “It’s close to Mrs Ashley’s heart for Leonardo to answer why this aircraft is still flying when they haven’t even carried out an investigation.”

Miranda Hill KC, representing Leonardo, said an investigation had commenced but it was unable to provide full details because of the confidentiality requirements of the Italian process.

Ms Griffin said: “We need reassurance these are safe aircraft to be continued to be used and tests have been taken.”