Two Injured as Light Aircraft Overturns at Swansea Airport
An aviation accident at Swansea Airport left two people requiring hospital treatment after a light aircraft overturned while attempting to land, prompting an immediate investigation by authorities into the cause of the crash.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of Saturday, 19 July, when a privately-owned single-engine light sports plane was returning from a routine leisure flight around the picturesque Gower Peninsula. According to eyewitness accounts, as the aircraft made its landing approach, it unexpectedly veered left and somersaulted, coming to rest inverted on the runway.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the crash. The pilot, an 84-year-old man from Sketty, and his passenger, a 78-year-old woman from Reading, were attended to by the Welsh Ambulance Service and transported to Morriston Hospital. Fortunately, both were later reported to have escaped serious harm, and their injuries are not considered life-threatening.
The damaged aircraft suffered extensive structural impact, leaving it beyond economic repair, authorities confirmed. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), the independent body responsible for air accident inquiries in the UK, has launched a formal investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the crash. An AAIB spokesperson stated, “An accident involving a light aircraft at Swansea airport was reported, and our investigation into the matter has begun.”
Police and fire services were also present at the scene. South Wales Police officers responded at approximately 4:30pm, following reports of an overturned aircraft on the airfield. In an official statement, a police spokesperson clarified, “Neither the pilot nor the passenger has sustained any serious injuries. The cause of the accident is currently believed to be pilot error, and we have no concerns about the pilot’s medical fitness or licensing at this time.”
The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that crews from Swansea West and Swansea Central stations were deployed to the airport at 4:28pm in response to reports of a crash. Firefighters assisted with the initial emergency response before leaving the scene just before 6pm, while the casualties were placed in the care of medical staff.
Support staff from Skydive Swansea, which also operates out of the airport, played an integral role in the immediate aftermath, helping to move the damaged aircraft back to its hangar after necessary investigations at the site.
It is worth noting that Swansea Airport’s operations are currently in a state of transition. The council-owned airport is now being managed on an interim basis by the Swansea Airport Stakeholders Alliance, following the local authority’s decision to end its previous operator’s lease due to long-standing issues. The alliance awaits a permanent decision on whether it will be granted the full operational lease in future.
Although the airport is presently unlicensed, regular aviation activity continues, with the Civil Aviation Authority maintaining oversight to ensure safety standards are observed. The change in management came after Swansea Council cited a “range of issues” with Swansea Airport Ltd, the previous operator, and following statements from former director Roy Thomas, who highlighted both his financial support for the airport and intentions to re-bid for future management rights.
This latest incident, while not resulting in grave injury, has drawn renewed attention to safety practices and the ongoing regulatory oversight at Swansea Airport. The AAIB’s investigation, likely to include analysis of weather conditions, pilot experience and airport operations, is expected to provide further clarity in due course. For now, operations at the facility continue, with the aviation community awaiting findings that may inform improved safety at regional airfields across Wales.