Pilot’s skill that saved five lives

In essence, it seems to have stemmed from a case of pilot error. As the plane searched for missing fishermen at the Ecréhous, it was flying on its small tip-tanks and not on its main fuel tanks. That is why both its engines stopped.

Anyone who consults the official report – and only the official report – on the forced landing and the events which led up to it will understand what happened from a purely technical point of view. They might also be critical of the pilot. However, anyone more familiar with what actually unfolded on that dark, rain-filled and storm-battered night is likely to look at matters very differently.

Despite what appears to have been his error, the pilot, John Hardie, can only be regarded as a hero – as well as a very accomplished flyer – because of the way in which he handled the situation when the engines failed. In truly horrible conditions he kept his head, nursed the plane to land, and then executed a landing in a rough meadow. This would have been a very considerable feat in broad daylight.

The touch-down has been described as a crash landing. Given the inevitable damage to the plane, which came to rest on a collapsed undercarriage with its nose in a belt of trees, that is an accurate use of terminology. That said, there was manifestly a high degree of control in the perilous descent and, crucially, all five of those on board walked away with no significant injuries.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Mr Hardie received high praise, not least from those who were flying with him. Even if the latest information means that the whole drama must be seen in a different light, that high praise is still due.

As we now know, the two fishermen who were missing and whose plight led to the Lions’ Pride mission were, after an ordeal lasting hours, rescued and helicoptered to safety. Had it not been for the stricken search plane’s safe return to terra firma, the successful mission at the Ecréhous could easily have cost five lives.