Monday, February 06, 2012

Cumbrian pilot awarded £100,000 damages after flying accident

Great North Air Ambulance pilot Jim Martin has won more than £100,000 in compensation after a flying accident in his microlight in which he dodged death for a third time.

 Jim Martin: ‘Last five years have been a mental and physical battle’

Jim, who used to fly the Great North Air Ambulance in Cumbria, amazed medics when he survived a 1,000ft plunge from the sky in his microlight and was later praised for his quick thinking in crash-landing the aircraft.

The 54-year-old was at the controls when the aircraft’s tail snapped – sending it spinning through the air before smashing into the ground at Burgham Golf Course, near Morpeth, Northumberland, in 2007.

Only his skill in navigating the plane into trees saved his life and that of his passenger, air ambulance paramedic Jon Ker.

The pair took legal action against the aircraft’s French manufacturer Dyn’ Aero, which denied liability. However, their solicitors argued successfully that the bolts were defective.

Jim used to be the pilot on the air ambulance after a News & Star campaign helped bring the helicopter to the county.

Both Jim and Jon, who live in Northumberland, suffered terrible injuries, and Jon was left unable to pursue his dream of becoming a commercial pilot.

Jim still suffers pain and will need a stick to help him walk for the rest of his life.

The daredevils each won compensation after their legal battle.

Jim is currently working in the United Arab Emirates training police and ambulance helicopter crews.

He said: “The last five years have been a mental and physical battle but we were both determined that we wouldn’t let this accident stop us from living our lives. I’m most grateful to my wife, Margaret. She has stood by me in some of the darkest times. When I was down and out with no money, she was there for me.

“But I want to thank everybody, my friends, family and the solicitors. Everybody has been great.”

Jon said: “This hasn’t been about the money but about proving that the accident wasn’t our fault.

“We did everything correctly that day. We could have died. It was only Jim’s skill which saved us.”

Following the December 2007 crash, an Air Accidents Investigation found aluminum bolts used to attach the microlight’s tail-plane to the fin had corroded.

Jim was left with two broken legs, smashed ankles, a broken arm, skull fracture and broken jaw. Jon, a paramedic for the Great North Air Ambulance, suffered a brain injury and fractures to both legs.

Paul Brown, from Thompson’s Solicitors, said: “Mr Martin and Mr Ker have shown bravery and strength in the way they have dealt with their very serious injuries.

“Both have tackled their extensive rehabilitation with courage and have gone on to find alternative employment, despite the hurdles their ongoing injuries create.”

“They are an inspiration and we are delighted we have been able to achieve this judgement.”

Jim and Jon were both rescued from Ben Nevis in 2006 after a rope snapped killing their friend and fellow climber Dr Rupert Bennett.

In 1998 Jim was the only survivor on board a Chinook helicopter which crashed at an air show in Hanover, Germany.

Four fellow crew died in the blaze.


A pilot has won over £100,000 in compensation after a terrifying crash in a microlight airplane.

Jim Martin was flying over Northumberland when the incident happened in December 2007. He was flying steadily at 1,000ft, when without warning the tail of the microlight aircraft snapped off, causing the plane to plunge to the ground.

Mr Martin’s skill as a pilot saw him somehow able to ground the plane on a golf course near Morpeth. Both Jim and his passenger – Jon Ker – suffered serious injuries in the crash.

Mr Martin suffered broken bones in both of his legs, his arm, ankle and jaw. He also suffered a fractured skull in the horrific crash. His passenger, Mr Ker, broke both of his legs as well as suffering a brain injury.

The crash was investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch who found that aluminium bolts used in the tail of the microlight had eroded.

The Evening Chronicle is reporting that both Mr Martin and Mr Ker have received six-figure compensation payouts from the manufacturer of the aircraft, Dyn’ Aero. The French company initially denied liability for the accident, but the paper reports that both cases are now settled.

Mr Martin – who describes the last five years to the newspaper as “a mental and physical battle” – now works in the United Arab Emirates, training emergency helicopter crews.

Source:  http://www.ashleyainsworth.com

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