ARV Super2: Pilot's mid-air horror after discovering airspeed indicator had been sabotaged with glue. Anglesey, Gwynedd, North Wales, UK

• North Wales police launch investigation
• 56-year-old pilot fears 'malicious interference'

Sabotage: Doug Blair was in mid-air when he realised that his Red ARV Super2 - similar to the aircraft pictured - had been tampered with

A pilot averted disaster after discovering in mid-air that his flight instruments had been sabotaged with glue.

North Wales Police confirmed today that they are investigating the 'malicious interference' and have issued a warning to other pilots after the  incident at Mona airstrip in Anglesey, North Wales.

Doug Blair, 56, had already taken off in his light aircraft, accompanied by his son, when he realised that the airspeed indicator was not working.

Without it the pilot has no way of knowing how fast he is going and faces the possibility that the plane will stall and crash. 

Keeping a cool head, the father-of-two managed to land the ARV Super2 plane. It was then that he discovered glue had been used to tamper with the aircraft's instruments.

Mr Blair, who was flying with his son Daniel, told how he was forced to speed up his plane and land as his wife and other son watched from below.

'The key thing is to remain calm in these situation, which was hard because my son was next to me and my wife and other son on the ground, listening to the radio messages.

'Thankfully because of the long length of the runway at Mona I could raise the speed to ensure there was no danger of stalling and still bring the plane to a stop on the runway.'

Following the incident on September 4 North Wales Police launched a sabotage probe and forensic officers are understood to be examining parts of the plane.

Inspector Gareth Evans told MailOnline today: 'I can confirm that North Wales Police are investigating the incident.

'Forensic tests are being carried out and we are speaking to members of the flying club.

'Our inquiries continue and in the meantime we have urged the club members to be vigilant.'

Mr Blair's own examination of the aircraft found that the pitot tube (a pressure measurement instrument used to measure fluid flow velocity) had been blocked by glue or another resin.

After the discovery, pilots in the area were warned to be vigilant.

The message read: 'I write to inform you all of an extremely serious occurrence in the hangar at Mona.

'A few days ago Doug Blair discovered that his ASI was non functional.

'His fault investigation yielded the possibility of malicious interference as the pitot tube appears to have been blocked with glue.

'The matter is now the subject of a police investigation.

'Clearly we all need to be extremely vigilant particularly before flying.'

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Police are investigating claims someone may have tried to sabotage a private aircraft at Anglesey, Gwynedd.

It follows a complaint of the failure of a airspeed indicator, possibly due to glue or resin in equipment.

The incident came to light at Mona Airfield last month. North Wales Police say forensic tests are being conducted.

A pilot discovered after take-off his airspeed indicator was not working. It is used to prevent a plane from stalling.

Insp Gareth Evans says members of Mona Flying Club have been urged to remain vigilant.

The pilot involved, from the Conwy valley, says he does not wish to comment until the police inquiry is complete.

After landing safely he carried out checks on his private ARV Super2 plane which showed a tube may have deliberately been blocked by the use of glue or resin.

Insp Evans said: "Our inquiries are continuing and in the meantime we have urged the club members to be vigilant."

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