Fatal Cornwall Air Crash

Yet another Falklands veteran to die by his own hand.

Regards

Thank you NightReaper.

Please accept my apologies that I was slow to suppress the thoughtlessly cruel post that prompted your reply.

Moggy
Moderator

I hope you’re okay nightreaper.
I also hope everyone is alright at Perranporth flying club too as they are good group of people.

It’s so sad what has happened, i’m sure that all will be confirmed in time. If it is suicide then that is tragic.

The two photos with the C172 definitely show one of the C172’s I used to fly (G-BGIU, G-WACL, G-ROUP) However the pics of the crash site give away no info so i’m still unsure if the one that crashed was one of the ones I used to fly.

Andrew Stillwell-Cox

Lieutenant Commander Andrew Stillwell-Cox joined the Royal Navy in 1972, aged 15, as a Boy Sailor at HMS Ganges. Following 12 months training he joined HMS Pembroke where he trained to become a Chef and later served on a variety of ships before promotion to Leading Hand in 1980, and a posting to HMS Glamorgan (a Guided Missile Destroyer). It was in this vessel that he served in the South Atlantic during the Falklands War (Operation CORPORATE) in 1982. In action his place of duty was as a ‘fearnought suitman’ at the amidships Fire and Damage Control Section Base (the Glamorgan was the only ship that was hit by an Exocet missile that survived the campaign). Promoted to Petty Officer in 1985, Stillwell-Cox served on Type 42 destroyers HMS Liverpool and HMS York. Selected for officer training in 1990, he later took up his first appointment as a Staff Officer to Commander in Chief and Second Sea Lord. Following promotion to Lieutenant in 1992 he embarked on an exchange appointment with the Royal Australian Navy in 1993 as Base Logistics Officer at HMAS Koonawara, Darwin. In 1995 he joined BRNC Dartmouth as Training Officer, later was Inspecting Officer at MOD Bath in 1997 and promoted Lieutenant Commander in 1999. Completing Staff Course, he joined HMS Illustrious (Logistics Officer) and saw active service in Sierra Leone as part of a humanitarian aid operation to Mozambique in 2000. Following a brief period on shore on HMS Raleigh and HMS Nelson he then joined HMS Fearless as Logistics Commander, sailing to both Afghanistan and Iraq during Operation ORACLE. Before retiring from the Royal Navy he joined RNAS Yeovilton in 2002 as Deputy Logistics Commander, prior to his final appointment as First Lieutenant at RNAS Culdrose. Lt-Commander Stillwell-Cox was awarded the following medals: South Atlantic Medal; Operational Service Medal (Sierra Leone); Operational Service Medal (Afghanistan); Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal; Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.

Please do.

Moggy

Andrew

I knew Andrew and he was no coward. Obviously deeply troubled by personal circumstances that made him to do this. I was going to direct you to his distinguished Naval record on the IWM site, but it’s just been taken down. I can post it here if you would like.

I have personally known two pilots who have taken this exit choice.

The attraction of dying quickly whilst doing what has given you so much pleasure in the past can just about be understood.

Moggy

How sad……….puts your own problems in to context…….

Suicide? No need to take his dog with him if so. 😡

Some images here.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2177661/Retired-Navy-commander-died-light-aircraft-crashed-deliberately-flown-plane-cliff.html

Moggy

I read about the note yesterday, although Devon and Cornwall police said that was just one of the possible avenues they are investigating. No details were given about the letter though.
All will be revealed in time. Either way, very very sad.
I don’t like to ask, but what was the aircraft/reg involved, does anyone know? I only ask as i’m wondering if it was one of my old training aircraft.

RIP and condolences to the family 🙁

It is now being suggested this was suicide (based on a note left behind)

Somehow makes it even sadder

Moggy

Oh no, that is so sad! 🙁 I flew from Perranporth from 2004 to 2007, such a lovely airfield and nice staff.
It’s so sad to hear of this unfortunate incident.

RAF Portreath is not very far from Perranporth, so he didn’t get far. I used to live 2 miles from Portreath.

Disturbing news.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/23/plane-crash-suicide-police

Awful news.

I spent a little time on RAF Portreath back in the spring, a beautiful and virtually disused clifftop field with a small RAF detachment. Perranporth I know from a visit there back in my Yak days, a stunning approach over the cliffs.

Dreadful that anywhere so breathtaking can claim the life of a fellow aviator.

Moggy