EXCLUSIVE: Family of ex-RAF pilot who died when he ejected from military jet before it crashed in Italian Alps launch £1million compensation claim
- Father-of-two David Ashley, 49, killed shortly after taking off in M-346 fighter jet
- The test pilot he was with, Giampaolo Goattin, 53, survived the crash in March
- Mr Ashley’s family are suing the makers of the jet Leonardo as well as Goattin
- The M-346 fighter jet has been involved in three crashes in the last ten years
The family of a former RAF pilot who died after he ejected from a military jet just before it crashed in the Italian Alps have launched a £1million compensation claim.
Father-of-two David Ashley, 49, was killed shortly after taking off in an M-346 fighter, as part of a familiarisation flight, while the test pilot he was with Giampaolo Goattin, 53, survived.
Mr Ashley, a former Harrier and F18 pilot, suffered fatal head injuries and as part of the family’s claim, they are suing the makers of the jet Leonardo, as well as Goattin.
MailOnline revealed the crash in March this year and dramatic pictures released by mountain rescue teams showed his body being recovered from a mountainside at Colico near Como, Italy.
The Italian pilot – who was sat at the rear – gave the order to eject after the plane stalled and went into a spin and he is thought to have been seriously injured during the ejection process.
Although the cause of the crash is unknown, the black box data recorder was recovered and transcripts and flight details have been downloaded and are being examined.
The family of former RAF pilot David Ashley (pictured with his wife Heather) who died after he ejected from a military jet just before it crashed in the Italian Alps have launched a £1million compensation claim
MailOnline revealed the crash in March this year and dramatic pictures released by mountain rescue teams showed his body being recovered
A leaked report has suggested the electronics of the fly-by-wire system were shorted by a powerful solar storm that was ongoing in the area at the time of the accident.
Italian authorities have also launched a criminal investigation into the circumstances of the crash but no details have yet been released with growing fears it will be hushed up as it involved a military jet.
Local prosecutor Ezio Domenico Basso said: ‘At the moment no-one has been placed under investigation and no-one has been advised of any potential charges, the case is still ongoing against persons unknown with an expert appointed from the Italian Air Force to examine the facts.’
Mr Ashley’s wife, Heather, and her legal team have expressed concerns over the air safety record of the M-346 which has been involved in three crashes in the last ten years.
The jet also performed in airshows at Farnborough and Fairford during the simmer in front of huge crowds and which is in use with the Italian, Israeli and Polish Airforce.
The claim which was filed at London’s High Court in August, states: ‘Mr Ashley, an experienced pilot, was receiving familiarisation training in a Leonardo M346 military jet, when it stalled and entered a spin.
Mr Ashley, a former Harrier and F18 pilot, suffered fatal head injuries after he ejected from the military jet
‘The first defendant (Leonardo) was at all times the owner, custodian, manufacturer, operator of the aircraft. The second defendant, Mr Goattin, was the flight commander and trainer.
‘Mr Goattin negligently failed to regain control of the aircraft and ejected Mr Ashley and himself from the aircraft at low altitude over mountains.
‘Mr Ashley suffered fatal head injuries. Mr Ashley’s death was caused by the fault or negligence of Leonardo in respect pf the design/construction of the aircraft and its flight systems and or by the negligence of Mr Goattin.’
It adds:’ The claimant expect to recover more than £1,000,000.’
A pre inquest review is due to take place on Tuesday in Bournemouth which will be attended by Mrs Ashley and the lawyer representing them, James Healy-Pratt, as well as video evidence from Mr Goattin and Leonardo officials.
The manufacturers of the ejector seat system, Martin Baker, are also expected to attend.
Mr Healy-Pratt, who also represented families in the 2015 Shoreham Air Crash, which left eleven people dead, told MailOnline:’ This is an exceptional case as there is no independent accident investigation report because the jet crashed in Italy and it was a military aircraft.
‘Within just a few months of this crash the M-346 was performing at air shows in Farnborough and Fairford and we have very real safety concerns over its air worthiness, this is the third accident the plane has been involved in.
‘The family want answers as to how David died and the inquest maty be the only time they can realise their concerns and have their voices heard. They want to know why the decision to eject was made by the flight commander, and the true cause of David’s death and the crash is still unknown.
Mr Ashley’s wife, Heather (pictured together), and her legal team have expressed concerns over the air safety record of the M-346 which has been involved in three crashes in the last ten years
‘They want to know what caused the plane to lose control and the inquest will be an opportunity for David’s widow and children to get the answers they deserve.’
In July 2019 Mr Ashley sustained a broken back, hip, ankle and fractured eye socket after ejecting during air combat manoeuvres while training in Qatar.
His mask and visors were torn off during the ejection and hit an object which shattered his eye socket.
Initially, it was feared he had lost his right eye after what he described later, as a ‘particularly savage’ parachute landing while his back was already broken.
Mr Ashley joined the RAF on a scholarship when he was 17 and spent 18 years in the military before moving to BAE Systems as a fighter pilot instructor and was off for almost a year.
As well as pilot training work, he also ran a property development business with his wife, from their home in Poole, and his wife told a local newspaper they had moved to Dorset, from the Middle East because of the ‘fabulous scenery’.
Toby Everitt, a former Royal Navy and Army Pilot and Founder and Director of TwinStar Consulting Limited, knew and worked with Dave for many years across a wide range of diverse roles and locations.
Although the cause of the crash is unkown, a leaked report has suggested the electronics of the fly-by-wire system were shorted by a powerful solar storm that was ongoing in the area at the time of the accident. Pictured: M-46 fighter jet
The M-346 trainer aircraft went down near the town of Colico, near Lake Como (Pictured) in Italy at approximately 12:00pm on March 16 after it was conducting tests for the Italian Armed Forces
He said: ‘Dave was someone who epitomised the mantra of live your life to the maximum.
‘He packed two lifetimes into his shortened one, and brought everyone he met along with him on the most fantastic rollercoaster of fun.
‘Dave was just the best at creating unforgettable experiences.
‘He had been through so much with his previous accident and managed to regain his legendary fitness, and seemed to have created a successful business and home life in the south west with his lovely family, who he adored.
‘He was a legend before he left us.’
RAF Officer Mike Wilkinson, who worked with Dave for more than two decades, said: ‘He was an outstanding family man, a great pilot and a very good friend who I always enjoyed being around.
‘I’m shocked and deeply saddened by the news.’
Scott Williams, a senior military officer and squadron commander with 23 years’ service in the RAF, said: ‘Dave and I spent our formative years flying Harrier jets together in the RAF in the early 2000s.
‘Those adventurous years remain amongst my most cherished memories and he was my Best Man when I married my wife.
‘There was never a dull moment if Dave was around.
‘An enormously talented pilot and instructor, he always brought his wicked sense of humour and boundless energy come rain or shine.
‘I know that the huge community of people around the world who knew Dave are in shock from the tragic news and our hearts are broken for his beautiful family.
‘His loss is devastating.’
Neither Mr Goattin, who is now back at work or Leonardo, were available for comment.
Source: Read Full Article