8/5/2008

News

Airport service for plane crash victims

Mike Roberts was one of five men killed in the plane crash

FAMILY and friends of the Surrey pilot who died in an air accident in March have gathered at Biggin Hill Airport to pay their respects.

Mike Roberts and the four other men who died when their plane crashed into a house in Farnborough, near Bromley, were remembered at a service on Thursday afternoon.

A Spitfire flyover marked the service in the airport’s St George’s RAF Chapel, which was followed by a reception in the passenger terminal.

Mr Roberts, who lived in Effingham, is believed to have been co-piloting the Cessna Citation plane when it experienced difficulties and crashed on March 30.

The flight had set off for Pau in France but turned back after reporting "engine vibration" and was just two miles north of Biggin Hill when it went down.

Investigators are currently looking into the cause of the crash.

Mr Roberts, who lived alone in The Street, was also a member of Cobham Rugby Football Club and a regular at The Plough pub in nearby Downside.

First printed in: Surrey Advertiser Online

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