Family of footballer Emiliano Sala's condemn 'unacceptable' delay to plane crash inquest

The family of footballer Emiliano Sala have condemned as “unacceptable” delays to the inquest into his death caused by the continuing Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) investigation into the fatal flight.

The 28-year-old Argentine, who was involved in a multi-million pound transfer from FC Nantes in France to Cardiff City FC, was killed when the plane he was travelling in crashed north of Guernsey on 21 January last year.

His body was recovered the following month. The body of the pilot, David Ibbotson, 59, from Lincolnshire, has not been found.

A person stands in front of a portrait of Nantes' Argentinian forward Emilianio Sala, who died last year in a plane crash (Photo by SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Matthew Reeve, representing Mr Sala’s family, told a pre-inquest review yesterday held at Bournemouth that they were unhappy at the delays caused by the CAA investigation, which he suggested had only begun following the conclusion of inquiries by the police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).

He said: “The delay is, frankly, unacceptable. Emiliano’s family have instructed me that they dearly and earnestly wish for the earliest possible hearing date.” Mr Ibbotson’s wife Nora said: “The CAA have had quite long enough time to get their information together from what they have got from the police and AAIB.”

Detective Inspector Simon Huxter, from Dorset Police, confirmed no charges would be brought by the police in the UK in relation to the accident.

The force previously announced that a 64-year-old man from North Yorkshire, who had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, will face no further action.

‘Carbon monoxide poisoning’

A final report by the AAIB released last week found the single-engine Piper Malibu aircraft suffered an in-flight break-up while being flown too fast for its design limits.

The document said Mr Ibbotson was probably affected by carbon monoxide poisoning.

Investigators found that a contributory factor in the crash was Mr Ibbotson having no training in night flying, and a lack of recent practice in relying only on cockpit instruments to control a plane.

And they found he held a private pilot’s licence that did not allow him to conduct flights for reward.

Charles Curtis, representing the CAA, said its investigation was still ongoing and it would consider criminal regulatory charges at its conclusion, which could take until the end of the year.

But he confirmed the agency was not looking at “homicide or murder” offences.

Mr Curtis said: “I hope there hasn’t been a misunderstanding that the CAA is only starting its investigation now. We now have primacy.”

Dorset coroner Rachael Griffin set further review hearings on 2 June, 28 August, 6 November and 8 January. A full jury inquest to start on 8 March 2021. She said: “I would ask the CAA to work as quickly as possible, for the impact on Emiliano’s family and Mr Ibbotson’s family.”