AN EMBRAER EMB-110B Bandeirante belonging to UK regional carrier Knight Air crashed "shortly after take-off" from Leeds/Bradford Airport, UK at about 17:50 local time on 24 May, killing all three crew and nine passengers. The aircraft was on a scheduled flight to Aberdeen, Scotland.
The pilot called the airport to advise air traffic control (ATC) of his intention to return but then, according to ATC, the aircraft disappeared from radar screens. Although Leeds/Bradford says that the airport weather at take-off was safe witnesses reported heavy rain and thunder at the crash site.
The aircraft (G-OEAA) came down in a field about 10km (5nm) north-east of the airport. A cockpit-voice recorder was fitted, but it was not known whether this had been located at the time of going to press.
Source: Flight International
